49ers legend Vernon Davis gives Brandon Aiyuk the best advice possible

Vernon Davis has a simple prescription for Brandon Aiyuk’s stalled NFL career: stop talking.

“I think Brandon Aiyuk needs to stay out of the media, be quiet, and do what he has to do,” the former 49ers tight end told Casino.ca. “He’s only hurting himself. Buddy, you are not bigger than the NFL.”

Davis’ comments come as San Francisco’s roster decisions make clear how little Aiyuk factors into its immediate plans.

General manager John Lynch said this week that “nothing has changed” with Aiyuk, who remains on the reserve/left squad list.

“He’s just not on our roster,” Lynch said.

That designation meant the 49ers did not have to use a spot on Aiyuk when setting their initial 53-man roster. San Francisco instead moved forward with a wide receiver group that now revolves around Mike Evans, De’Zhaun Stribling and Deebo Samuel.

The breakup has grown increasingly strange.

The 49ers previously voided roughly $27 million in Aiyuk’s guaranteed money after determining he failed to fulfill contractual obligations while rehabbing the ACL and MCL injuries that have kept him off the field since 2024.

Aiyuk must apply for reinstatement before he can return, but he said in July that he would not be “doing any kind of business” with San Francisco.

That leaves him in an awkward spot: he wants another opportunity, but the step required to move things forward is the same one he has refused to take.

Davis believes the receiver is only making things worse.

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“Sit in the back seat, put a zip on his mouth, and be quiet,” Davis said. “Play the game of football, man. Everybody knows you can play.”

Davis stopped short of calling Aiyuk a bad teammate, saying he does not view him as a “cancer” and still believes he can help another organization.

“He’s becoming the noise,” Davis said.

That may be the real problem.

Aiyuk’s talent once earned him a four-year, $120 million extension. Now, after months of public drama, the 49ers have built their roster without him while his career remains on hold.