Brandon Aiyuk Sparks Firestorm After Comparing 49ers Situation To Modern-Day Slavery
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers still do not appear to be on the same page. The star wide receiver has made several public comments in recent weeks, and his latest social media post has brought even more attention to the situation.
Aiyuk has not played since tearing his ACL on October 20, 2024. Before the injury, he had the best season of his career in 2023. He caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and scored seven touchdowns. His strong season helped him earn a four-year, $120 million contract after long contract talks with the 49ers.
Things became more difficult during the 2025 season. Aiyuk lost $27 million in guaranteed money because he did not meet certain contract conditions. He strongly disagreed with the decision and openly criticized the team.
Aiyuk Keeps Public Pressure On The 49ers
Aiyuk first questioned the team’s decision during a recent livestream.
“And another thing. You want to know why they really mad, though? They mad ’cause they stupid, they dumb,” Aiyuk said. “They mad that they paid me $50 million in eight months and then voided my guarantees for 2027. And I’m about to be on a new team in 2027. They mad at themselves for real. They acting like they mad at me, but they stupid [expletive] mad at themselves.”
He followed those remarks with another strong message on his Instagram Story Thursday night.
“I haven’t received a single cent from them in 17 months,” Aiyuk wrote. “Folks tryna hold me captive lol. Then my guarantees was voided in July of 2025. This [expletive] is modern day [chains emoji].”
#49ers Brandon Aiyuk’s recent IG story… pic.twitter.com/3cbMNWamlg
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) July 2, 2026
His comments came as rumors about a possible trade continued to grow. Aiyuk recently shared photos and videos of himself wearing Washington Commanders gear, prompting many fans to wonder whether he could join the team. However, no trade appears to be close at this time.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport shared his view during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. He suggested that Aiyuk may hope the public drama will push the 49ers to release him.
“I think, I don’t know this, but I think the idea is you create enough noise, enough negative publicity, you become so toxic that the 49ers will go, ‘Okay, I can’t deal with this anymore. I’m tired of the headlines… I’m just going to cut him,’” Rapoport said.
Rapoport also questioned Aiyuk’s approach.
“It just never happens because usually you’ll have people close to the player… and he does not seem to be listening to people close to him at all and hasn’t been for some time,” he said.
Trade talk involving the Commanders remains active. For now, though, Aiyuk’s future with the 49ers remains uncertain as both sides continue their public standoff.
