Aiyuk Hires Rosenhaus in Bid to Revive NFL Career After Two Years Out

Brandon Aiyuk has taken a significant step toward reviving his NFL career by hiring prominent agent Drew Rosenhaus, in an effort to return to the field after more than two years away from the game. Rosenhaus confirmed the development to ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday afternoon, explaining that he is working on getting Aiyuk back to work and playing again in the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver has not appeared in an NFL game since suffering serious damage to his right knee against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 20, 2024, an injury that involved his anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and meniscus and required season-ending surgery. Hiring Rosenhaus is only the beginning of what could be a complicated process. Aiyuk must first submit a formal reinstatement request to the NFL to return from the 49ers' reserve/left squad list. The Niners voided approximately 27 million dollars in guaranteed money in July 2025 after Aiyuk failed to complete required rehabilitation sessions and team check-ins. He remains under contract through the 2028 season after signing a four-year, 120 million dollar extension in August 2024. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have repeatedly indicated that Aiyuk's time with the franchise is over, with Shanahan answering "no" in September when asked whether injuries to the receiving group could change that stance. The 49ers previously explored trade possibilities involving the receiver, and his hiring of Rosenhaus could reopen that avenue ahead of the November 10 trade deadline, though if his request arrives after the deadline, San Francisco can reject it, and reinstatement is not permitted after Week 13.