Brandon Aiyuk is not logging off, even if his social media routine has thoroughly exhausted just about everyone watching.
If anything, the wide receiver sounds ready to lean even harder into the social media storm that has turned his NFL future into one of the league’s stranger offseason dramas.
Aiyuk, who remains tied to the San Francisco 49ers despite trying every avenue to say that he wants out, addressed criticism of his online activity in his latest post.
Advertisement
“I’ll tell you what,” Aiyuk said. “If I get a job back in the NFL, I’ll still be on my bulls–t on social media.”
Brandon Aiyuk says hes taking to social media in order to get paid because his employer is holding him captive X/@OurSf49ers
That message came after weeks of posts aimed at the 49ers, his contract situation and possible future teams. In one recent post, Aiyuk accused San Francisco of misleading fans and media about when his contract guarantees were voided, claiming the decision had already been made months before it became public.
“When the news finally came out that my guarantees were voided in November, the team continued to lie to the media/fan base,” Aiyuk wrote.
Aiyuk’s social media push has also included an extended public flirtation with the Washington Commanders. That connection makes some sense on paper. Aiyuk played with quarterback Jayden Daniels at Arizona State, and Washington general manager Adam Peters was with San Francisco when the 49ers drafted Aiyuk in 2020.
Advertisement
But even that campaign has gotten messy.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels works out during NFL football practice AP Photo/Nick Wass
Aiyuk recently called out Daniels in a social media post, seemingly undercutting his own push to reunite with the Commanders quarterback. Daniels responded with a Kevin Durant thumbs-down image, adding another odd chapter to the exchange.
The public nature of Aiyuk’s approach has fueled questions about whether any team will want to take on the headache, even if the talent remains obvious. Even that is hard to prove as Aiyuk has not played a down of real NFL football in nearly two years.
Colin Cowherd used the situation to take a broader shot at the 49ers, arguing that the Los Angeles Rams have done a better job moving on from injured players or players surrounded by drama.
Advertisement
“That’s why the 49ers roster has become old, dramatic, brittle, and expensive,” Cowherd said.
Aiyuk may still believe social media is his best path to freedom, leverage or another payday.
But if his goal is to convince another team to take a chance, his latest message makes one thing clear.
The posts are not going away.
Read the full article here