Brandon Aiyuk wants to get reinstated, but 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan 'couldn't care less'

Aiyuk's relationship with the 49ers has been tumultuous for years, with a trade request, ugly contract negotiations, an eventual extension and then more drama. Aiyuk has not played since Oct. 20, 2024 when he tore both his ACL and MCL. It was at that point that the tumultuous relationship turned into a broken relationship as Aiyuk refused to do his rehab at the team facility, eventually resulting in the 49ers voiding his guaranteed money and placing him on the reserve/left squad list. 

He has yet to be reinstated by the NFL. 

While all of this was going on, head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about the meeting on Friday and said he "could not care less" about how it went, and that the whole situation has been over for a long time. 

Aiyuk is not going to play for the 49ers ever again, and when (or if) he is reinstated, it is going to have to come with some split from the 49ers to allow him to play elsewhere. 

The question then becomes, who is going to actually want him?

Aiyuk is 28 years old, and while he was a really good player at the start of his career, he has not played a game in two years, is coming off a major injury and has proved to be a headache even in good times. The level of desperation a team would need in order to put up with that is almost off the charts. Even so, it only takes one team to make it happen.