Brandon Aiyuk Accuses NFLPA of Smear Campaign Amid 49ers Contract Dispute

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has taken his contract dispute public, posting a series of Instagram Stories in which he claims the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) threatened to start a “smear campaign” after he refused to appeal the team's decision to void roughly $30 million in guaranteed money. Aiyuk says the NFLPA asked whether he wanted to appeal and warned that refusing would damage his reputation. The 49ers placed him on a reserve/left‑squad list following the voiding of his guarantees, which they say resulted from his missed rehab and team events after a knee injury. Aiyuk has repeatedly expressed a desire to join the Washington Commanders and has criticized head coach Kyle Shanahan and the team’s facilities on social media. The NFLPA has not responded to his allegations. Analysts note that his public feud and erratic posts may hurt his trade value and future opportunities in the league.