Brandon Aiyuk’s week has been a mess of unfollows, cryptic posts and another round of explaining himself, with the soon-to-be-former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver making it clear he has no intention of quieting down on social media.
The latest flare-up started with Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. Last Saturday, Aiyuk zeroed in on Daniels after a viral video showed a 49ers fan telling Daniels he better not throw to Aiyuk next year.
Daniels was laughing during the exchange, but Aiyuk clearly didn’t find it funny. He fired back with expletives aimed at Daniels, then unfollowed him.
Not long after that, Aiyuk posted another video that included Daniels’ handle, and Daniels unfollowed Aiyuk in response.
Aiyuk wasn’t finished there. He followed up with another video taking aim at Daniels again, keeping the whole situation very much alive online.
Even with all that, Aiyuk still posted another cryptic message afterward that suggested he still wants the Commanders. Whether that means the tension with Daniels has already cooled or Aiyuk simply doesn’t care who’s throwing him the ball as long as he ends up in Washington, the message was there.
Aiyuk also spent part of the week explaining why he has not filed for reinstatement. His answer centered on his refusal to report to the 49ers, which is the step required to get reinstated. He made it clear he does not want to do business that way.
That stance carries a heavy consequence. If Aiyuk is really choosing not to show up and get reinstated, he could be out of football altogether for the 2026 season. That would mean two years away from the game, coming after he tore up his knee.
He also addressed his social media activity in another video, saying, “I gotta get paid somehow. The employer [the 49ers] is holding me captive without pay. At least social media is paying.”
The whole situation has clearly gotten attention beyond Aiyuk himself. 49ers Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young told the New York Post, “I worry for him,” and added, “I feel like I want to reach out and help. This is beyond football; it feels like.”
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