As 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk attempts to lay the foundation for a return to the NFL, at least one other 49ers player has expressed skepticism about Aiyuk’s plan.
His new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has said that Aiyuk will report to the 49ers’ facility on Friday. Tight end George Kittle shared his views regarding that strategy on Thursday when asked whether he’s looking forward to seeing Aiyuk.
“Do you think he gets in the facility?” Kittle said, via Grant Cohn of SI.com.
Kittle then was asked if he thinks Aiyuk gets into the facility.
“Plead the fifth,” Kittle said. “Yeah. You can ask [G.M.] John [Lynch]. Or [coach] Kyle [Shanahan]. Don’t ask me. I’m a conspiracy guy.”
“Is there a conspiracy?” Kittle was asked.
“Plead the fifth,” he said.
Kittle’s skepticism is warranted. The entire situation is strange, and awkward. Aiyuk clearly hopes to trigger his outright release by reporting for work, after months of making it clear he had no intention to do so.
The 49ers are tiptoeing around the situation, for now. Before the team has to do anything, Aiyuk needs to check the various boxes that put the 49ers in a posture that requires a decision.
Of all potential outcomes, the least likely involves Aiyuk being welcomed back onto the roster. Especially since Aiyuk likely has no desire to be on the roster.
He wants his freedom, and he finally — after months of stubbornness — has initiated the process aimed at making that happen. While it’s possible that the 49ers will search for a hardball outcome that involves keeping him from becoming a free agent while avoiding putting him back on the team, the chances of Aiyuk wandering around the locker room and eventually wearing a 49ers’ helmet again seem to be incredibly slim.