When he became the starter during his rookie year, quarterback Brock Purdy was consistently referred to by his draft-day moniker, "Mr. Irrelevant." As the Niners won and continued to win while he was the starter, reporters used the same phrase over and over again—that Purdy was "now Mr. Relevant."

It was repeated so often it got as stale as bread left on the counter for six weeks.


Kyle Brandt from Good Morning Football became annoyed. He proposed that the cast no longer refer to Purdy's draft spot. He felt it was disrespectful, did not allow for an accurate accounting of Purdy's performance, and distracted from reporting on the games themselves. The rest of the cast heartily agreed, and in the years since, and even with new cast members, GMFB has stuck to that informal policy.

Those reporting on the 49ers now face a similar issue with a particular wide receiver who is still officially on the team—yet not really on it. Brandon Aiyuk, whom I will henceforth refer to as WRX, is in the news every few days, but it is always regarding the same issue: he said something on social media.

We know a few things regarding his future.

He will not play for the 49ers again

It is not really accurate to include phrases such as "most likely." Sure, I am not under contract with the 49ers, and would cost pennies against the cap, and have no receiving skills, but it is theoretically possible I could get a phone call. Yet no one would say I "most likely" won't be on the team again.


The same is true for WRX. General manager John Lynch has said so, and WRX has said so.

WRX wants to play for the Washington Commanders

He has posted this on social media many times.

WRX does not understand the realities of his situation

To be available to sign with another team, he must be reinstated. To be reinstated, he must report to the 49ers and then be released by the 49ers. He could do this easily and quickly. He has said he will not do so. Yet without doing so, he has no chance to sign with the Commanders. The NFL's policies won't allow it.


WRX has emotional issues

He posts a complaint about someone every few days, whether that's the 49ers, the players union, the league itself, one of his supposedly closest friends, or his former agent. He never blames himself for anything.

WRX either will or will not play for the Commanders next year

Washington has not said whether it is interested in signing WRX, and doing so would be against league rules. Therefore, whether he will or won't, whether it is likely (again that word) or not, is a moot point. We won't know—and it therefore will not be news—until he is reinstated, which he is refusing to do.

WRX's posts on social media are immature, inaccurate, and/or accusatory


The only articles about him now follow basically the same formula:


In other words, the news is never really news. The only change is the wording of WRX's post.

To all sports sites, I propose a moratorium on articles concerning WRX until he is reinstated. Instead, there should be a title—even the same title, along the lines of "WRX attacked someone on [name of social media]"—and then a link to the post.

Right now, WRX simply wants attention. At this point, the 49ers and Commanders know what they will do and will not say what that is.


We should not enable him.

Written By:

Jack Stewart


Jack Stewart was educated at Alabama and Emory and was a Brittain Fellow at Georgia Tech. His poetry has been published widely in the US and several other countries. His book No Reason was published in the Poeima Poetry Series in 2020.
All articles by Jack Stewart


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