Two days after deleting Instagram videos that criticized the 49ers for not releasing him, receiver Brandon Aiyuk returned with a new post showing him dancing in a robe and boxer shorts—captioned “coming to a endzone near [you].” The timing and his decision to
Two days after Brandon Aiyuk deleted a pair of Instagram videos that criticized the 49ers for not releasing him, the receiver is back on social media.
This time, it’s a very different look. In his new video, Aiyuk is dancing while wearing a robe and boxer shorts. The caption reads: “coming to a endzone near [you].”
He also extended an olive branch by deleting the earlier posts. Put those two moves together and it’s hard not to wonder whether the 49ers have decided to abandon the effort to trade him—and instead move toward cutting ties in the coming days. That kind of endgame would leave less room for an uncomfortable scenario at training camp. where Aiyuk showing up could force the issue and turn his situation into a constant distraction.
The other side of the equation is just as clear. By refusing to release Aiyuk and holding out hope for a trade. the 49ers have limited what he can do to get up to speed through his new team’s offseason program. At some point, every delay costs something. For a team focused on its larger priorities. it’s easy to see how the longer the wait stretches. the more it becomes a case of taking the organization’s eyes off the bigger prize.
That’s why the most notable question now isn’t whether Aiyuk can still be a storyline—it’s whether San Francisco chooses to end the chapter cleanly before practices kick into gear.
One parallel that keeps coming up is how the 49ers previously handled a similar moment of stubbornness with quarterback Trey Lance. when they ultimately admitted their mistake and moved on. The hope here. at least in the way this situation is being framed. is to fold the tents. focus on what’s ahead. and keep Aiyuk from becoming a hot topic every time the team gathers for practices in the electromagnetic hot zone.
Brandon Aiyuk San Francisco 49ers NFL Instagram Trey Lance training camp receiver news contract situation