Niners WR Brandon Aiyuk has delivered a series of immature rants on social media this offseason, but his latest might be the most alarming about his actual NFL and fantasy football outlook. Aiyuk posted the following on Instagram: "I will not be reinstating with [the 49ers] or ever doing any kind of business with them. I'm locked in and focused on my opportunity to return to the field this season! #RAISEHAIL"
2026 Impact: It's Getting Worse
That hashtag refers to the Washington Commanders, the team Aiyuk has been most commonly linked to this offseason. I guess it's positive that he still hopes to land there in spite of his recent online shot at Jayden Daniels' relationship with his mother.
But there's a bigger problem with the wideout's latest message.
If Aiyuk wants to get to Washington -- or any other team -- he'll almost certainly need to apply for reinstatement.
The 28-year-old currently sits on San Francisco's reserve/left squad list. That means he remains under the team's control but that Aiyuk doesn't count against their roster and that the 49ers don't have to pay him.
They could release him from that list, but what incentive do they have to give in to this former first-round pick who has been at odds with the franchise for more than a year and a half now?
If Aiyuk were to get reinstated, on the other hand, the 49ers would need to pay him and decide whether to keep him on the roster. That would seem to create a much more likely path to release (or even trade).
If Aiyuk doesn't realize that or thinks it doesn't matter, then it's the clearest sign to date that he's getting no guidance through this weird spat.
Should You Still Draft Him?
Of course, this only matters to us insofar as what it means for his fantasy outlook.
I've spent this offseason -- so far -- figuring that Aiyuk would find a way out of San Francisco and present at least some upside potential somewhere. But if he's searching for a door with his eyes closed, then I'm done betting on his escape.
You can still stash Aiyuk at the end of your best ball draft if you'd like. The upside remains if he returns to the field. But that's looking less likely by the week. So I won't be drafting Aiyuk again until something changes.
Dynasty Impact: Anyone's Guess
Honestly ... who knows right now?
You kinda need to hang on to the WR for now, assuming you can afford the roster spot.
Let's hope this resolves in some way by September.
