The San Francisco 49ers' wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk recently made a social media post where he expressed frustration with the franchise. While Aiyuk continues to post online, one NFL insider's reaction to the situation sparked significant backlash from fans.

“Heartbreaking: 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk continues to spiral on social media, posting this strange video,” Dov Kleiman posted on X. “It's clear Aiyuk needs help. Pray for him.”

Kleiman reposted a video of Aiyuk dancing, originally posted on his official Instagram account, with the caption “coming to an end zone near (you)", with 'you' represented by a pointing emoji.

Aiyuk previously posted an Instagram video on June 7, in which he reportedly spoke for a minute and a half about how the franchise is afraid to let him go, and referred to the 49ers as "little boys."

"They mad 'cause they stupid. They dumb. They mad that they paid me $50 million in eight months and then voided my guarantees for 2027. And I'm about to be on a new team in 2027. They mad at themselves for real," Aiyuk said in the clip, per ESPN.

Though the post has since been deleted, Nick Wagoner of ESPN believes Aiyuk was referring to the 49ers, suggesting that the team is afraid to let him go, as they would eventually regret the decision if he lands elsewhere. 

The standoff has been an ongoing situation for nearly a year, since Aiyuk failed to meet his contractual obligations. He missed rehab sessions for the torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus in his right knee last July and missed team meetings as well.

As a result, the team voided the remaining guaranteed money ($27M) in his contract. According to Wagoner, he was placed on the reserve/left squad list in December after failing to report to the team facility. 

His last campaign with the 49ers was in 2024, when he posted 25 receptions for 374 yards in 7 games, before he was added to the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. 

While Aiyuk's posts have continued to draw attention amid his contract situation with the 49ers, fans pushed back on Kleiman’s claim that the wideout was "spiraling" and needed help. 

Fans Defend Aiyuk After Kleiman's Comments 

Amid the ongoing contract dispute, fans pushed back on Kleiman's comments, arguing that Aiyuk was simply dancing, instead of spiralling.

"What exactly is strange about the video? He's dancing," a fan commented.

One fan called out Kleiman for raising unnecessary concerns when Aiyuk just wants to be off the team.

"It's crazy when someone wants off a team, they need help. That man just wants to be off the d*** team," another said.

Another fan found Kleiman's concern to be irrelevant, as Aiyuk is posting on social media like everyone else.

"Not sure how this is a strange video. Dude just posted a video dancing like the other millions of people do on social media," wrote a fan.

One fan sarcastically turned the attention back on Kleiman, suggesting the insider was the one who needed help.

"After his recent tweet about an athlete dancing to music, it's clear to everyone that Dov [Kleiman] is not well. Please pray for Dov ad let's hope he gets the help he needs," a fan wrote in the comments.

Another fan argued that Black athletes are often portrayed differently in the media coverage.

"Why, whenever somebody don’t bow down to the NFL, y'all make it seem like they spiraling and losing they mind? Nothing about any of this suggest he needs help," another said.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore