NFL Insider Says Brandon Aiyuk Is ‘Lighting Money on Fire' Amid 49ers Drama

The Brandon Aiyuk drama continues to worsen, following his contract extension, injury situation, ghosting of the team, and multiple social media videos bashing the San Francisco 49ers.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the 28-year-old wide receiver is “lighting money on fire” and has become “untradeable,” based on intel from league sources.

Aiyuk, who became the 49ers’ No. 25 pick in 2020, was Second Team All-Pro in 2023, but the following season, disaster struck. In October 2024, he tore his ACL and MCL in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, and his season came to an end as he needed surgery and recovery.

Due to that, Aiyuk only played seven games in the 2024 season, but he played no games in the 2025 season, after the team placed him on the PUP list last July. The 49ers then voided his contract’s guaranteed money for 2026 due to lack of participation.

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“He is on the left squad list for the 49ers still. To get off that list, he has to apply to Commissioner Roger Goodell. He has to file paperwork. I’m told that hasn’t happened. I’m told the 49ers haven’t given any kind of firm confirmation to him whether he’s going to be cut, traded, or whatever,” Fowler said on ESPN.

Fowler also mentioned some of the sources he’s spoken with believe Aiyuk might now have to sign a veteran minimum deal when he’s cut by the 49ers due to how this situation unfolded.

“It’s a buyer-beware situation. Clearly, he wants to go to Washington. Washington’s not planning to sign a receiver right now, maybe closer to training camp, they revisit it,” Fowler said, adding, “But the outlook is not great for him right now.”

The latest discussion of Aiyuk’s situation comes on the same day as he released another video seeming to ask the Commanders to add him to their roster.

“What’s up, everybody? It’s your boy … I’m back in action and back on tour this fall. Go to www.commanders.com and get your tickets and watch us rock out,” Aiyuk said in a video wearing a Commanders cap, which also featured him doing an air guitar and drums.

“Championship tour is near!! Get your tickets now!!” he wrote in the message along with his Instagram post.

During his six seasons in San Francisco, Aiyuk has tallied 4,305 and 25 touchdowns on 294 catches. However, his playing in only seven games in these past two seasons due to a serious knee injury is concerning, making him seem like a risk for any team to add.

One has to wonder if the Commanders are going to get Aiyuk if and when the 49ers cut him, but he clearly isn’t doing himself any favors to endear himself to prospective squads with all of these social media antics and bashing of his former team.

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This story was originally published June 25, 2026 at 7:30 PM.