BRANDON AIYUK ACCUSES NFLPA OF SMEAR CAMPAIGN IN INSTAGRAM POST

Brandon Aiyuk has accused the National Football League Players Association of launching a "smear campaign" against him and threatening to damage his name, image and likeness value. The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver posted a series of statements on Instagram describing his interactions with the union. According to Aiyuk's account, after he informed the NFLPA he did not wish to appeal the 49ers' decision to void his guaranteed contract payments because he intended to join the Washington Commanders, the union responded by initiating the alleged campaign against him. Aiyuk stated his response was to declare he would move to Washington regardless of the consequences.

Aiyuk has remained unwilling to seek reinstatement to the 49ers' roster since June, when the team declined to release him. According to reporting, he previously posted on Instagram accusing the union of "lying" and "withholding information". The specific details of Aiyuk's dispute with the NFLPA remain unclear from his public statements. One account suggests Aiyuk may have believed he would be released by the 49ers and felt the union failed to inform him otherwise.

For Aiyuk to leave San Francisco, three steps must occur: he must file for reinstatement with the league, the league must grant that request, and he must attend training camp, at which point the 49ers would likely release him before risking a season-ending injury that would trigger more than £20 million in compensation obligations in 2026. No further action will take place until Aiyuk changes his position and files the required paperwork, or unless the 49ers decide independently to release him from the reserve and retired list. The team has shown no indication it intends to do so.