Brandon Aiyuk has unleashed a series of social media posts in recent weeks lobbying for the San Francisco 49ers to trade him to the Washington Commanders. These included Aiyuk cheering for the team, telling fans to buy Commanders tickets to watch him “on tour,” and more.
As Aiyuk continues to nudge the NFC West team into potentially trading him to the East Coast, the 28-year-old has drawn criticism from several talking heads. However, NFL podcaster Lynnell Willingham has defended Aiyuk.
In a clip posted on X (formerly Twitter), Willingham said:
“Aiyuk’s behavior, under no circumstances, should prevent the Commanders from signing him. That’s the bottom line for me. The character assassination has gone way over the top, in my opinion. Both sides are at fault in how they’re handling the situation. He has not handled himself like a professional on social media.”
Aiyuk is currently under contract with the 49ers through 2028, after he signed a $120,000,000 extension back in 2024. Aiyuk appeared in seven games before an ACL and MCL injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
Aiyuk spent the entirety of the 2025 season recovering from the injury and has yet to take the field for the Niners.
NFL Insider Speaks On Fallout Of Brandon Aiyuk’s Holdout
Since the start of the offseason, Brandon Aiyuk has been distancing himself from the 49ers organization as well as head coach Kyle Shanahan. Aiyuk did not report for the team’s voluntary and mandatory training camps.
However, this wasn’t the start of Aiyuk’s problems with the team, as the Niners voided their wideout’s contract guarantees at the start of training camp last season for reasons that were not made public.
Now, with his social media antics, Aiyuk is further damaging his potential income, according to NFL insider Jeremy Fowler. During an appearance on NFL Live, the insider said:
“He’s lighting money on fire, is what he’s doing, every time he puts an Instagram video out.”
While the 28-year-old has made his intentions to get traded to the Washington Commanders abundantly clear, there have been no reports of the Dan Quinn-led team having shown any interest in Aiyuk yet.
Read More:
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in College Football, Men’s College Basketball, Women’s College Basketball, and College Baseball!
