Brandon Aiyuk is done holding back. The 49ers wide receiver, who hasn’t played a snap since 2024 thanks to a torn ACL and then a lost 2025 season, went on Instagram Thursday night and aimed directly at the NFL Players Association. His message was blunt: the union lied to him, withheld information, and sided with the team and his own agent. He called it “straight BS.”
The post was a story with the NFLPA tagged. Aiyuk wrote that some players “have no other place to go for information or help” and that they’re “relying on the union to help them continue advancing their careers and lives.” He took care to say he wasn’t blaming every union staffer, just the ones involved in his specific case.
It’s the latest outburst from a player who has clearly checked out of San Francisco. Aiyuk has been publicly begging for a trade, specifically to the Washington Commanders. But the 49ers hold his rights. And right now, no one seems eager to jump in and fix this mess.
From $120 Million to Left Squad
It wasn’t supposed to go like this. Aiyuk was a first-round pick in 2020 and quickly turned into one of the most productive receivers in the league. Over his first four seasons he posted 269 catches, nearly 4,000 yards, and 25 touchdowns. That production earned him a four-year, $120 million extension in 2024. Then everything fell apart.
He tore his ACL during the 2024 season and missed most of the year. Then he missed all of 2025. The 49ers voided the guaranteed money in his contract citing a lack of participation. Eventually they moved him to the reserve/left squad list. That’s essentially football purgatory: he’s under contract but not active, not practicing, not really part of the team.
Since then, Aiyuk has taken his frustrations public. Multiple times. He’s posted cryptic messages, complained about his situation, and made it clear he wants out. This NFLPA rant is just the latest. It also happens to be pretty vague. He didn’t offer specifics about what the union supposedly lied about or who his agent is in this context. The complaint is real but the details are missing.
What Happens Next
The 49ers haven’t commented on the post. The NFLPA hasn’t responded publicly either. Aiyuk’s agent, for what it’s worth, hasn’t said anything. There’s no trade imminent as far as anyone knows. Washington has been mentioned as his preferred destination but there’s no indication the Commanders are in active talks with San Francisco.
Aiyuk is under contract. He’s not playing. The team has already moved on financially by voiding his guarantees. A trade would require a team to take on whatever remains of his deal and compensate the 49ers. That’s a tough sell for a receiver coming off two lost seasons and now airing grievances publicly.
At this point it’s hard to see how Aiyuk ever suits up for the 49ers again. But it’s not clear where he goes next either. He’s stuck. And he’s making sure everyone knows who he blames for it.
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