One NFL legend believes wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s contract situation with the San Francisco 49ers may not have started with his recent social media posts or his complete absence from team activities.

During a recent episode of the Richard Sherman Podcast on June 24, former NFL cornerback Richard Sherman believes the root of the conflict dates back to the 49ers' Super Bowl game in 2023 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

“According to Sherman, tensions began after the Super Bowl loss to Kansas City," per an X post by 49ers &NFL News 24/7 from The Richard Sherman Podcast. "He also noted that Aiyuk’s absence in the days leading up to training camp last year played a major role in the 49ers ultimately voiding his guarantees. A situation that may have been brewing longer than many realized.”  

Sherman argued that Aiyuk’s frustration stemmed from the 2023 Super Bowl loss, where he was particularly left open on a key play and did not get the ball. He believes this may have planted the seed of bitterness that eventually strained his relationship with the 49ers.

"It's not like the 49ers did something horribly wrong by Brandon Aiyuk," Sherman said in 'The Richard Sherman Podcast'. "In my personal opinion, and I know a lot of the background and everything that went on, his frustration was: 'I didn't get the ball enough. I don't think they respect me in the way I think I deserve to be respected.' And then the Super Bowl - everything that went on in the Super Bowl - just kind of ate at him."

Aiyuk later signed a four-year, $120M extension, which included $27M of guaranteed money for 2026. But the wideout suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and a meniscus in his right knee, keeping him out for the rest of the 2024 (after playing 7 games) and 2025 seasons.

Furthermore, as Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated noted, Aiyuk felt the four-year, $120M extension had too little guaranteed money and was shorter than he wanted. He had reportedly turned down better offers elsewhere.

Though Aiyuk was kept on the PUP list for the 2025 season, he failed to meet contract obligations by not attending team meetings and not showing up for rehab.

As a result, the Niners voided the remaining guaranteed money ($27M) in his contract and  placed him on the reserve/left squad list in December 2025

Sherman pointed out that Aiyuk's failure to show up for mandatory meetings could be one of the major reasons for the 49ers' fallout with the player, who is currently seeking to be traded to the Washington Commanders.

Aiyuk's social media activity points toward Washington

Brandon Aiyuk fueled trade speculation by supporting the Commanders on his Instagram stories. He posted a video where he was holding an NFL football with a Commanders logo on it.

"The best sport in the world, the best league in the world [and] the best team in the world," his Instagram caption read on the video, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

He further posted another video saying he will immediately sign with the Commanders if the Niners cut him off that day (June 24)

While Aiyuk's social media posts hint at his preferred future team, any move to the Commanders remains uncertain as long as he remains under contract with the 49ers.

What do you think the future holds for Aiyuk?

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi