Brandon Aiyuk spouts off on ‘stupid, dumb' 49ers via social-media post
Brandon Aiyuk's recent emergence on social media now includes his bluntest message yet about a mysterious estrangement with the 49ers.
"You want to know why they really mad, though? They mad because they stupid. They dumb," Aiyuk posted Tuesday afternoon on Instagram. "They mad because 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 just acting likey they mad at me but they stupid (expletive) mad at themselves."
Coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have repeatedly indicated that Aiyuk is not expected to resume his career with the 49ers. Team owner Jed York, however, indicated March 30 that he'd like to see Aiyuk return, and that previously allocated money indeed was a motivating factor for such a comeback.
"I don't think it helps your trade leverage. It's just, he's a good football player," York said at the NFL's annual meeting. "We paid him. I think we've paid him more millions of dollars in snaps that he's had. I would like to see him play for us."
Aiyuk indeed received close to $50 million upon agreeing to a contract extension in August 2024, after a protracted standoff that included social-media salvos and trade requests. Then came an October 2024 knee injury, and because he didn't abide by their rehabilitation schedule, the 49ers voided his 2027 guarantees before last summer's training camp. Although he attended practices through September, he wasn't cleared to participate, and he ultimately vanished from the team by October, going incommunicado with coaches and teammates.
The 49ers placed him on the reserve/left squad list in December, and he remains under the control contractually until an eventual release or longshot trade, with no further money owed until a $25 million bill come Sept. 1.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney's office issued an arrest warrant for Aiyuk back in February, stemming from him speeding down Tasman Ave. past Levi's Stadium and posting a video of that in December. After news of that warrant spread last week, Aiyuk posted another video of himself racing a car, believed to be on an Atlanta-area racetrack.
On Sunday, Aiyuk surfaced on Instagram and addressed his career being in limbo, stating the 49ers were scared to part with him and "they're running from the belt." Aiyuk has posted pictures of himself wearing a hat of the Washington Commanders, whose quarterback, Jayden Daniels, is one of Aiyuk's closest friends and a former Arizona State teammate.
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 7:05 PM.