Brandon Aiyuk, wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, has been in a battle with his own team for weeks. Now he has turned on his own union, posting a cryptic statement on Instagram accusing the NFLPA of running a smear campaign against him. 

Aiyuk made an Instagram post, packaging the message as a made-up conversation with the 49ers and the NFLPA. Lombardi, who writes beat pieces about the 49ers, shared the post on X on July 18.

"They was like, 'okay... we're gonna start a smear campaign to try and tarnish your NIL.' I was like, 'okay... that's gonna make me sad, but I'm still going to DC.' NFLPA was like '🤐,'" Aiyuk wrote on Instagram, shared by David Lombardi on X.

The fuller dialogue of Aiyuk, as posted by Lombardi, includes a description of the 49ers removing about $30 million of guaranteed money from his contract. Aiyuk states he did not appeal this case through the NFLPA because his goal was to simply play for the Washington Commanders.

This incident comes after a previous Instagram post in late June in which Aiyuk accused the NFLPA of "lying and withholding information" while coordinating with his old agent and the 49ers.

The main issue with Aiyuk’s position is the loophole Lombardi pointed out. Giving up the financial guarantees does not remove the 49ers’ contractual control over Aiyuk; player rights and financial guarantees are two different issues.

The NFLPA is the players' union and works to defend players in contract negotiations and disciplinary cases. It often tries to reduce suspensions and challenge league decisions. Even so, Aiyuk seemed to criticize the organization. That comes as he navigates uncertainty over his contract.

Aiyuk stays on the reserve/retired list, has not requested reinstatement, and the 49ers have no apparent intent to cut him.

Until he submits the necessary documents to the league, the 49ers are not obligated to him and can maintain the limbo state of his career for as long as they choose. Aiyuk’s state of limbo is now being augmented by a person with direct access to him.

Houshmandzadeh says the chances of Brandon Aiyuk going to the Commanders are low

On the Speakeasy podcast, personal receivers coach and former NFL wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh provided his clearest insight so far regarding the future of his client, and the news regarding Aiyuk is not positive.

"He ain't going to the Commanders. It's done. It's over. Stick a fork in it. Zero. Zero-percent chance, and it s**** because he's so young and he's talented." Houshmandzadeh said on the Speakeasy podcast on July 17.

Things looked just as dreary outside Washington when asked if Aiyuk will play in the NFL again.

"I will probably say no. But once this season goes by and he's not on the team by November, he's going to get humbled and now he's going to have to change if he wants to play," Houshmandzadeh said on the same Speakeasy podcast, July 17, 2026. 

These comments are important because Houshmandzadeh and Aiyuk are close. As training camps begin across the league, the opportunities for Aiyuk to be signed before the start of the season are diminishing.

Share your thoughts on Aiyuk's latest post.

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Written by

Abhay Bharti

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar