Teams Cool on Brandon Aiyuk as Social Posts and Missing Medical Proof Leave Trade Market Frozen

Overview

• Multiple outlets report on Wednesday that NFL executives now believe Aiyuk has damaged his trade market by publicly attacking the 49ers and Commanders players while failing to provide current medical clearance.
• Aiyuk remains under contract with the San Francisco 49ers on the reserve/did-not-report list after skipping team-supervised rehab, a status that voided roughly $26–$27 million in guarantees and prevents him from signing elsewhere until released or reinstated.
• Front offices and insiders say Washington is unlikely to pursue Aiyuk at this stage because his social-media exchanges with QB Jayden Daniels and erratic behavior undermined trust between the player and the potential suitor.
• Executives told reporters they have asked whether Aiyuk even wants to play because he has not applied for NFL reinstatement, sought a formal release, or given teams recent medical exams and on-field proof of recovery from his 2024 knee injuries.
• If Aiyuk seeks a return, the realistic path is to win reinstatement, show current medical evidence and accept a low-risk, incentive-heavy 'prove-it' deal; otherwise the 49ers retain control and his NFL future will likely remain stalled.