Brandon Aiyuk wants out of San Francisco and he is not being subtle about it. The 49ers wide receiver posted another Instagram video on Wednesday, this time holding a football with the Washington Commanders logo on it. The caption in the corner of the video read: “The best sport in the world. The best league in the world. The best team in the world.”
This is not an isolated thing either. Aiyuk has been posting videos wearing Commanders gear and taking shots at the 49ers for weeks now. He’s clearly trying to force a move to Washington. But there’s one problem. He’s still under contract with San Francisco through the 2028-29 season.
The money situation is messy
The 49ers recently voided about $27 million in guaranteed money from Aiyuk’s deal for the 2026-27 season. That came after Aiyuk sat out the entire previous season, refusing to return from a severe right knee injury he suffered in the 2024-25 campaign. He didn’t play a single snap last year. The team has an out on his contract after the 2026-27 season, but for now, he’s their problem.
Aiyuk has 294 catches for 4,305 yards and 25 touchdowns over 69 career games. When healthy, he’s a legit number-one receiver. But his antics have made it unclear whether Washington actually wants to trade for him, according to reports. Publicly campaigning for a trade is one thing. Doing it while bashing your current employer is another.
The 49ers have not commented on the latest video. The Commanders also haven’t said anything official about Aiyuk. But the guy clearly wants to be in D.C. and he’s making that known every chance he gets.
What comes next
It is rare for a player to force a trade this openly while recovering from a major injury. Most guys lay low, rehab, and let their agents work behind the scenes. Aiyuk is doing the opposite. He’s posting, he’s calling Washington the best team in the world, and he’s making it very hard for the 49ers to keep him around without it becoming a circus.
Whether the Commanders want to deal with that noise is the question. Washington has a young roster and a new coaching staff. Adding a disgruntled veteran who won’t stop posting could be a headache. Then again, Aiyuk can play. If the price is right, maybe they take the gamble.
For now, Aiyuk remains a 49er. A very loud, very unhappy 49er who thinks the Commanders are the best team in the world.
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