Brandon Aiyuk now ineligible to play in NFL and can only return on one condition

Brandon Aiyuk appears to have run out of options.

The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver has made his preference to join the Washington Commanders abundantly clear.

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But after a myriad of erratic online behavior, such as calling out members of the Niners brass, wearing Commanders merchandise, and then going on to call out Washington’s young quarterback, and his former close friend, Jayden Daniels, his dream may have just been shattered once and for all.

This comes after the Commanders made the decision to sign four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs to a one-year, $12 million deal

This gives Daniels more receiving weapons in his arsenal, alongside Terry McLaurin and tight end Chig Okonkwo.

For Aiyuk, though, who has recently bought a $10 million property close to the Commanders’ training facility, he currently finds himself out of the league with nowhere to go.

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This is because, as a result of the Niners placing him on the left squad list in December 2025 due to him going AWOL amid contract disputes – the move that also saw his 2026 guarantees voided – he is ineligible to play for any team in the NFL, including the 49ers.

That’s not to say that the 28-year-old can’t get himself reinstated, but he would only be able to do so on one condition.

That is to formally contact NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell personally, in writing, and request reinstatement.

As it stands, though, Aiyuk currently does not count against the 49ers’ roster or salary cap, due to receiving no pay.

Therefore, the team has no incentive to release him, which would, in turn, force them to take on millions in dead cap space.

Aiyuk, meanwhile, reportedly has no plans to request reinstatement as he continues to hold out for a release from the team.

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Therefore, with his contract not due to expire until after the 2028 season, it seems unlikely that Aiyuk will play in the NFL until after then.

Aiyuk’s former trainer blasts WR

Aiyuk hasn’t made many friends since he started acting out.

In fact, he appears to have lost even some of the closest people who were once in his corner, including former Cincinnati Bengals star T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Houshmandzadeh, who once served as Aiyuk’s personal offseason trainer and developed a close relationship with him during his contract dispute, has placed the blame entirely on the Niners receiver.

He has even blasted those who have stood up to defend the 28-year-old.

“Am I tripping when I see people say he is not at fault? What the f*** are they listening to? Houshmandzadeh said on the “Speakeasy” podcast on Wednesday. 

“They really believe that when they say that, ‘Oh, I feel sorry for him, oh, the 49ers have wronged him.’ Really?

“What are y’all watching and listening to? There’s no way. Maybe I’m just different because if you do me dirty, I’m trying to do you dirtier. That’s just me. …

“You don’t show up, you start doing this, you start doing that. They hold your rights. Why would they do you a favor when, in essence, they are looking at it as if you f***ed them over? You can rectify it. Reinstatement and show up.”