San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk publicly criticized the NFL Players Association on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
He accused certain union members of working against his interests during his ongoing contract standoff with the team.
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The dispute escalated after Aiyuk used his Instagram story to claim that union representatives were withholding crucial career information from him.
He alleged they coordinated with his former agent and franchise management.
“When members of the union that is in place to help players is lying/withholding information from a player on behalf of the team alongside a certified agent..
That’s some straight BS!!!
Some players have no other place to go for information or help, and are relying on the union to help them continue advancing in their careers and lives!
I’m sure there are great members of the union, so this message does not pertain to them but about the ones in my specific case,” Aiyuk wrote.
According to nbcsports.
com, the union would have legally challenged the 49ers' decision to void Aiyuk's contract guarantees if he had chosen to fight the move at that time.
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Prior to targeting the union, Aiyuk released a YouTube video on Saturday blaming his former agent, Ryan Williams.
Williams maintains a close business relationship with San Francisco General Manager John Lynch.
“We is not cool,” Aiyuk said in the video.
He indicated that he has no intention of returning to the team facilities, with a single exception for an upcoming away game scheduled later this year.
“We won't be cool, and I will never be stepping in that building.”
As reported by bleacherreport.
com, the 49ers voided the 2026 financial guarantees of Aiyuk's four-year, $120 million contract in July 2025 due to disagreements over his rehabilitation from multiple knee ligament tears suffered in 2024.
The team subsequently placed Aiyuk on the reserve/left team list in December, meaning he does not count against their active salary cap.
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This leaves San Francisco under very little financial pressure to trade or release the player.
