Brandon Aiyuk's Former 49ers Teammate Sounds Off on WR's 'Desperate' Antics amid Trade Push

Some of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's former San Francisco 49ers teammates commented anonymously this week on the wideout's shocking fall from grace.

Aiyuk, 28, signed a four-year, $120 million contract with the 49ers in August 2024, but just two months later, he tore his ACL and MCL, and he has not appeared in a game since then.

The 49ers placed Aiyuk on the reserve/left team list late in the 2025 season after failing to update the organization on his rehab and progress.

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One of Aiyuk's former 49ers teammates told Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic that Aiyuk was a "distraction" during the 2025 season during the time that he was around the team facility.

That teammate recalled a time when Aiyuk spoke out while 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan critiqued a player during a team meeting, noting that Aiyuk's "humility was kind of gone."

Since being placed on the reserve/left team list, Aiyuk has publicly lobbied for a trade or release so he could join the Washington Commanders and reunite with his former college teammate in quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Aiyuk even made numerous social media posts in which he was wearing Commanders gear .

Another of Aiyuk's former 49ers teammates commented on Aiyuk's actions, telling Dugar, "What I see is that he really wants to get back in. That's what the antics show to me: It shows he's desperate."

Aiyuk was once a rising NFL star, as the 2020 first-round pick out of Arizona State had back-to-back strong seasons in 2022 and 2023.

Following a campaign with 78 receptions for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022, Aiyuk was even better the following season, recording 75 grabs for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns en route to Second Team All-Pro honors.

Now, Aiyuk is trending toward missing a second consecutive season in its entirety, as he has yet to apply for reinstatement, which he must do in order to get traded.

The Commanders signed Stefon Diggs during the offseason to pair with No. 1 wide receiver Terry McLaurin, though, which suggests Washington may not be a realistic landing spot for Aiyuk until next season at the earliest.

For now, the waiting game persists, and it is fair to wonder if or when Aiyuk will be seen again on an NFL field.