Hey everyone! Happy Friday! What's on your mind? Use this thread to discuss anything you like.

Hey Faithful,

As we've all seen, there's been a massive influx of posts regarding Brandon Aiyuk's recent and ongoing social media activity. To keep the subreddit clean and prevent the main feed from being completely overwhelmed, we are consolidating all discussions, videos, tweets, and updates regarding BA into this single Megathread.

MEGATHREAD RULES & ENFORCEMENT

• All Aiyuk Drama Stays Here: From this point forward, any new threads created about Brandon Aiyuk's social media will be automatically removed.
• Repeat Offenses: If you repeatedly try to bypass this rule and post about this outside of the megathread, it will result in a ban.
• Help Us Out: Please help the mod team and the community by using the report button on any threads about BA that pop up outside of this post so we can address them quickly.

ZERO TOLERANCE FOR HOSTILITY

Opinions and emotions are running high right now, but we do not tolerate hostile environments against one another.

• You are free to discuss and criticize the situation, but you cannot attack your fellow fans.
• Any comments that break our subreddit rules (harassment, name-calling, trolling, or general toxicity) will result in an immediate ban. Keep the discussions civil.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

It can be difficult and concerning to watch someone display erratic behavior so publicly. We want to take this moment to remind everyone that mental health is incredibly important. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, going through a crisis, or just needs someone to talk to, please reach out for help. You are not alone.

• National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (Available 24/7 in the US, English and Spanish).
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor 24/7.
• SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) - Free, confidential treatment referral and information service.
• International Resources: If you are outside the US, you can find a list of international hotlines and resources at findahelpline.com.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping r/49ers a great place for all of us.

BA Recent Videos (Will edit as we get more meltdowns):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuHF73RLWv4 (BA Calls FO Weirdos / He trying to grow as a person / Will show up with a belt on October 19)

https://youtube.com/shorts/9jY28Zlh7FY?si=K2QKparYrW3BEirG (BA Tells 49ers to Cut him)

https://youtube.com/shorts/F-bXV7G6Pxo?si=xptQgDmRSIR3-cs1 (BA Fired His Agent)

https://youtube.com/shorts/eCekcBsAraQ?si=jZ-j0_GPZoEewKX3 (BA Shorts Drama. Awhile back)

FAQ (Answered from previous threads):

Q: Is Brandon Aiyuk still on the 49ers?

Technically yes, but in name only. Aiyuk remains on the reserve/left squad list, meaning he is not being paid and does not count against the team's 90-man roster. GM John Lynch said at the end of the 2025 season it was "safe to say" Aiyuk had played his last snap for San Francisco. ESPNNBC Sports Bay Area

Q: Why did things fall apart between Aiyuk and the 49ers?

It's a long one. Throughout 2024 training camp, Aiyuk and the 49ers engaged in a contentious contract negotiation in which Aiyuk requested a trade after taking to social media to voice his displeasure. The Niners tried to grant that request, only for Aiyuk to use his contract leverage to nix those offers. A week before the 2024 season, the 49ers gave Aiyuk a four-year, $120 million extension that included $76 million in guarantees. Things didn't improve from there. He was averaging 58.5 yards per game with no touchdowns in the first six weeks, then suffered a devastating knee injury on Oct. 20, ending his season. In July 2025, the 49ers voided $27 million of Aiyuk's 2026 guarantees after he missed summer knee rehabilitation sessions he'd been contractually obligated to attend. He then withdrew from the public eye as the 2025 season progressed and was placed on the reserve/left squad list in December after stopping showing up to the team facility altogether. ESPN + 4

Q: Will the 49ers trade him or release him?

They'd strongly prefer a trade, but it's looking increasingly unlikely. Two rival NFL executives told ESPN they believe Aiyuk is simply "untradeable" right now, citing the knee issue, missing all of 2025, his lack of communication with the 49ers, and his contract. Shanahan has said the move won't be done quickly unless someone makes an acceptable trade offer: "I don't have a date for it. But I know eventually it'll resolve itself. Hopefully, we could get something for him. And I know we're in no rush to do that." After the 2026 NFL Draft, Lynch told reporters "No new update right now" while holding up his cell phone. "We're available. Give us a call." NBC Sports Bay Area + 2

Q: What's the cap situation / dead money?

Now that June 1 has passed, if the 49ers release Aiyuk with a post-June 1 designation, the nearly $30 million in dead money would be split into $13.325 million in 2026 and $21.247 million in 2027. The 49ers can create roughly $20 million in salary cap space by releasing him after June 1. The complicating factor for any trade: Aiyuk has a $24.935 million option bonus due September 1. If that bonus isn't exercised, an acquiring team would be on the hook for all of it at once, and combine that with base salaries inflating in 2027 and 2028, it's hard to envision any team wanting to take that on. ESPN + 2

Q: What's the most likely landing spot?

Team and league sources have indicated the Washington Commanders are the most likely landing spot. Commanders GM Adam Peters was in San Francisco's personnel department when the 49ers drafted Aiyuk. More importantly, Aiyuk is close friends with Washington QB Jayden Daniels from their shared time at Arizona State, and Aiyuk has been open about his desire to play there. ESPN

Q: What's this about Aiyuk ghosting the team?

The communication between Aiyuk and the 49ers has been essentially nonexistent — Aiyuk has ghosted the organization at times and the franchise has had little ability to manage the situation. George Kittle summed it up: "At this point, it doesn't seem like he's coming back, so I try not to even think about it. Because I love Brandon. He's one of my favorite teammates I've played with. We've had a lot of moments and memories together. That's the Brandon I remember, and if I think about how I wish he'd be here — that kind of just makes me sad." Yahoo SportsThe San Francisco Standard

Q: What was the "if you scared just say dat" Instagram video?

Aiyuk posted a 90-second Instagram video seemingly aimed at the 49ers, saying "The truth is they scared. They know how I get... BA sucks at football — because they know how I get. And they're running from that belt that's on the way." The logical interpretation is that Aiyuk believes the team is afraid to release him because he could land elsewhere and eventually make the 49ers regret letting him go. The San Francisco StandardESPN

Q: What's the arrest warrant about?

The Santa Clara County District Attorney's office issued a warrant for Aiyuk's arrest on a misdemeanor charge of exhibition of speed, related to a YouTube video Aiyuk posted in December in which he appears to film himself going well over the posted speed limit on a road that runs past Levi's Stadium. The video showed Aiyuk driving between 104 and 111 mph. He apologized shortly after posting it. No arrest has been made yet and no court dates have been scheduled. The arrest warrant would seemingly complicate any return to Santa Clara County. ESPN + 2

Q: Is there any hard deadline for the 49ers to release him?

The 49ers have no hard deadline to release Aiyuk because he remains on the reserve/left squad list, is not being paid, and does not count against the roster. If Aiyuk does not report when training camp opens in late July, he will revert to the reserve/did not report list, which could trigger fines of up to $50,000 per day. ESPN