Contract disputes turn ugly fast in the NFL. Wide receivers led the league with 12 holdouts and social media purges during the 2024 offseason. Brandon Aiyuk became the latest player to send cryptic messages while his team struggles.
Brandon Aiyuk Scrubs San Francisco 49ers From Instagram While on PUP List Following Torn ACL
Brandon Aiyuk Scrubs San Francisco 49ers From Instagram While on PUP List Following Torn ACL (Screenshot VIa X/@jasrifootball)
The San Francisco 49ers signed the receiver to a four-year, $120 million extension after the 2023 season, but something broke down between then and now.
Brandon Aiyuk Scrubs San Francisco 49ers From Instagram While on PUP List Following Torn ACL
Aiyuk tore his ACL late last season and landed on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start 2025. He became eligible to return after Week 4.
That was over a month ago. General Manager John Lynch told reporters in September that Aiyuk was “not close” to returning. Now the situation looks even messier.
The 26-year-old wide receiverunfollowed the 49ers on Instagram and wiped every team reference from his profile. Total scorched earth on social media.
𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧: Brandon Aiyuk removed all 49ers’ references from his social media and hasn’t been seen at practice in weeks, according to @jenniferleechan
“The return of Aiyuk would provide another play-maker to the offense, but the possibility of that happening this season is… pic.twitter.com/5z4Ijxehqp
— JPA (@jasrifootball) October 13, 2025
Players do this for two reasons: they want out or they want attention. Either way, San Francisco has major problems.
The timing couldn’t be worse. The 49ers lost edge rusher Nick Bosa for the season with a torn ACL. Middle linebacker Fred Warner also went down with an injury. The team desperately needs healthy bodies, especially playmakers on offense.
Aiyuk averaged 16.2 yards per catch last season before the injury. He posted 25 catches for 374 yards across seven games in 2024. Zero touchdowns, but the production mattered.
San Francisco explored trading Aiyuk before his injury. One proposal involved swapping him for Washington Commanders star Terry McLaurin.
The Commanders passed and locked up McLaurin with a new deal instead. Now the 49ers sit stuck with an injured, unhappy receiver who might not want to play for them again. The $120 million extension looks like a disaster barely one year into the deal.
San Francisco 49ers Fans Divided as Brandon Aiyuk Social Media Drama Escalates
The Instagram purge sent 49ers fans into a spiral. One fancompared it to horror: “This is like a ghost story for 49ers fans! Aiyuk has been a key playmaker—he averaged 16.2 yards per catch last season. Without him, the offense could struggle. How do we fill that gap? Is it time to look at our depth chart more closely?”
Others threw cold water on the panic. A second fanwrote, “Wow a guy who tore his acl and hasn’t had his practice window opened yet isn’t at practice.”
The medical side drew concern too. One observernoted darkly, “Bro has that quick setting CTE.”
Rival fans jumped in immediately. A fourth commentread, “Come to the Giants!”
The debate splits along familiar lines. Some fans think Aiyuk owes the team loyalty after getting paid. Others understand wanting out of a situation that feels broken.
The ACL recovery timeline adds complexity. Most players need 9-12 months before returning to full speed. Aiyuk tore his ACL in December 2024, putting his realistic return around September or October 2025.
He’s right on schedule medically, which means the social media scrub likely signals deeper issues than just rehab frustration.
San Francisco faces a choice: repair the relationship or trade him before his value tanks completely. With Bosa and Warner out, losing another star would crush their playoff hopes.
The 49ers need Aiyuk healthy and focused. Instead, they got Instagram drama and growing tension. Super Bowl contenders can’t afford this kind of distraction.