As 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk attempts to lay the groundwork for a return to the NFL, at least one other 49ers player has expressed skepticism about Aiyuk’s plan.
His new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Aiyuk would report to the 49ers’ facilities. Friday. Tight end George Kittle shared his thoughts on that strategy Thursday when asked if he was looking forward to seeing Aiyuk.
“Do you think he enters the establishment?» Kittle said, via SI.com’s Grant Cohn.
Kittle was then asked if he thought Aiyuk would enter the facility.
“Plead the fifth,” Kittle said. “Yeah. You can ask (GM) 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 justified. The whole situation is strange and awkward. Aiyuk clearly hopes to trigger his outright release by showing up for work, after making it clear for months that he has no intention of doing so.
For now, the 49ers are tiptoeing around the situation. Before the team has to do anything, Aiyuk needs to check off the various boxes that put the 49ers in a position that requires a decision.
Of all the potential outcomes, the least likely involves Aiyuk being welcomed back to the roster. Especially since Aiyuk probably has no desire to be on the list.
He wants his freedom, and after months of stubbornness, he has finally begun the process of achieving it. While it’s possible the 49ers are looking for a difficult outcome that involves preventing him from becoming a free agent while avoiding reinstating him to the team, the chances of Aiyuk walking around the locker room and ending up wearing a 49ers helmet again seem incredibly slim.
Gn sports
