Roddy White questions 49ers’ handling of Brandon Aiyuk amid uncertain future

Brandon Aiyuk’s unresolved status remained one of the lingering questions as the San Francisco 49ers opened training camp, with the team offering no update and the next move seemingly left to the wide receiver.

Aiyuk remains in limbo on the reserve/left squad list, where he has been since the end of 2025. After missing all of last season amid a lengthy standoff with the Niners, the All-Pro wide receiver would likely need to apply to the NFL for reinstatement to begin a potential return in 2026.

He could also move the process forward by reporting to training camp or informing the 49ers that he plans to report. Aiyuk’s situation with the 49ers has been strained for roughly a year.

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The dispute appeared to reach a boiling point last July, when San Francisco voided the remaining guaranteed money in his contract after he failed to participate in rehab work for the torn ACL, MCL and meniscus in his right knee.

Aiyuk has appeared to reference the uncertainty around his future with the 49ers in multiple social media posts, only adding to the chatter surrounding the matter. Former NFL wide receiver Roddy White is among the latest sports figures to weigh in.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) warms up before an NFL game against Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on Sept. 3, 2015, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

White argued the 49ers mishandled Aiyuk’s path back from injury and may have complicated any potential effort to move him.

“I think this situation has been handled wrongly by the 49ers,” White told Hard Rock Bet. “They should’ve been more patient with Aiyuk and his situation. They should have done all they could to get him back on the field to give him an opportunity to show he can still play football. When you have a guy who is angry and just wants to leave, it’s hard to get any compensation for him.”

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White finished his 11-year career with the Atlanta Falcons with 10,863 regular-season receiving yards.

The 49ers’ decision last week to bring back Deebo Samuel appeared to draw a cryptic response from Aiyuk, who wrote on Instagram, “San Fran wanna see a real reunion?”

His posts have not been limited to San Francisco, though, as the receiver has also taking aim at the NFL Players Association. And while Aiyuk has expressed interest in joining the Commanders, that possibility has reportedly cooled off after he called out Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) celebrates after a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Oct. 16, 2022. (Brett Davis / USA TODAY Sports)

Daniels downplayed any possible lingering tension last week, telling reporters that he and Aiyuk had “handled everything privately.”

Aiyuk and Daniels were teammates in 2019 when they both played college football at Arizona State.

Late last month, general manager John Lynch made clear the 49ers were keeping their focus on the players already in camp. “I’m personally, and we as an organization, are going to focus on the players who are here,” Lynch told reporters on July 25. “We wish him well, we wish his family well.”

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Ricky Pearsall entered camp looking like a potential breakout piece for the 49ers’ offense after injuries limited him to 20 games over his first two seasons. Instead, San Francisco’s wide receiver corps absorbed an early setback when swelling returned in the PCL of Pearsall’s right knee. He was moved to injured reserve on Aug. 1.

Aiyuk appeared in seven games in 2024 before being sidelined by injury. One year earlier, he put together the best season of his career, recording 1,342 receiving yards and earning second-team All-Pro honors.

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