49ers' Brandon Aiyuk Rips NFLPA In Social Media Photo Amid Commanders Contract Push

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk continued to criticize the NFL Players' Association in a Saturday post on his Instagram story.

His latest post accused the NFLPA of trying "to start a smear campaign to try and tarnish [Aiyuk's] NIL."

Aiyuk has been calling out the NFLPA in a series of Instagram stories posted throughout the offseason amid his bid to be released by the 49ers.

The wide receiver has also called out agent Ryan Williams, who represented Aiyuk during contract negotiations and who is longtime friends with 49ers general manager John Lynch.

Aiyuk is signed through the 2028 season with the 49ers, although the team decided last year to void $27 million in his 2026 guarantees.

In the wide receiver's portrayal of his ensuing exchange with the NFLPA, Aiyuk wrote the players' union asked him if he wanted to appeal the Niners' decision.

Aiyuk indicated he then told the players' union he planned to play for the Washington Commanders instead.

The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala reported in June the Commanders had some interest in Aiyuk earlier this offseason, but the franchise did not consider making a deal for the wide receiver on his current contract.

Aiyuk's social media activity since then has "created worry," according to Jhabvala.

The Commanders would now only consider pursuit of Aiyuk if the 49ers release him and Washington feels "confident that he's fit, physically and emotionally," Jhabvala reported.

Aiyuk last played during the 2024 NFL season before suffering a season-ending torn ACL.

The 49ers receive cap benefits from keeping Aiyuk on the roster thanks to their ability to prorate a large amount of his salary, per David Lombardi of the San Francisco Standard. Without trade interest in Aiyuk, that could limit the franchise's interest in moving on from the wide receiver this offseason.