How Brandon Aiyuk’s latest 49ers decision probably just ended his NFL career

Brandon Aiyuk may have just put the final nail in the coffin of his NFL career.

On Tuesday, the San Francisco 49ers' embattled wide receiver posted on his Instagram story about his intention to not pursue any reinstatement with the 'Niners.

And if he holds firm to that, he'll likely never play another NFL snap.

Is Brandon Aiyuk quitting?

Aiyuk posted on his IG story a long message, which included, "I will not be reinstating with them nor ever doing any kind of business with them."

The thing is, if Aiyuk doesn't get reinstatement, he likely isn't going anywhere.

The 49ers have him currently on the "Left Squad List." That's technically a part of the roster, but Aiyuk isn't paid while he's on that list.

Since the 49ers already voided Aiyuk's guarantees, they owe him zero dollars in this scenario.

From a financial standpoint, the 49ers would have no incentive to release Aiyuk if this scenario stays in place.

Can Brandon Aiyuk join a new team?

Aiyuk would have to be traded, or released, to end up with a new team.

The most likely path to that is to apply for reinstatement from the Left Squad List, which if granted would then get him back onto the 49ers' books. That would incentivize them to move him off the roster.

Aiyuk says he isn't going to apply to be reinstated, though. And if he truly doesn't, and the 49ers decide to keep him on their roster with no financial penalty, then he isn't going anywhere.