Brandon Aiyuk claims 49ers ‘don’t want me back’ as contract drama festers

The drama between Brandon Aiyuk and the 49ers doesn’t appear to be simmering down anytime soon.

Aiyuk, who’s hoping for a new contract after a career season in 2023, posted a TikTok video Monday, which showed him telling Jayden Daniels — his college teammate at Arizona State and the Commanders’ rookie quarterback — that the 49ers don’t want to retain him for next season.

“What happened bro,” Daniels said on a FaceTime call with Aiyuk.

“They said they don’t want me back… I swear,” the 26-year-old wideout replied.

Brandon Aiyuk talks about his 49ers future during a FaceTime call with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.TikTok/Brandon Aiyuk

 

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) stands on the field during OTA workouts at Commanders Park on June 5, 2024.USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
“My boy!” Daniels, who was watching 49ers highlights in the clip, yelled before the pair started laughing.

Aiyuk’s video was captioned: “I’m laughing but I’m crying fr.”

Brandon Aiyuk talks about his 49ers future during a FaceTime call with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.TikTok/Brandon Aiyuk
His girlfriend, Rochelle Searight, was seen in the beginning of the clip holding a camera.

“He got me vlogging this s–t,” she said.

“Oh my,” she added before the video cut off.

The video was posted to Aiyuk’s TikTok the day after ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that “things have stalled a bit” in negotiations between the wideout and the 49ers.

49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and his girlfriend Rochelle Searight with their son.Instagram
This past season, Aiyuk recorded 75 catches, 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns on the way to a second-team All-Pro nod.

Aiyuk is under contract for the 2024 season after the 49ers picked up his fifth-year option — but he could still be traded before the November deadline.

Aiyuk, a first-round pick by the 49ers in the 2020 NFL Draft, was not present at the team’s mandatory minicamp earlier this month as he seeks a new deal.

It came after GM John Lynch said both sides were “having good talks” during a pre-draft press conference in April.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk catches a pass against the Detroit Lions during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Jan. 28, 2024.AP
“I’ve communicated on many occasions: our wish is that he’s here and part of the Niners for the rest of his career,” Lynch said at the time. “We’re working through that … I can say we’re having good talks, and I’m just going to leave it at that.”

The 49ers went on to select wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the No. 31 overall pick.

Aiyuk seemed to respond to Lynch in a post on Instagram that read: “Money talks Bulls–t walks.”

He also unfollowed the 49ers on Instagram in April.

Aiyuk is using Amon-Ra St. Brown’s contract with the Lions —  a four-year, $120.01M extension with $35.3M fully guaranteed and a $16.5M signing bonus — as a “benchmark” for his contract negotiations with the 49ers, Fowler reported at the end of May.

The Aiyuk-49ers saga started after San Francisco’s 25-22 overtime loss to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, which took place in Las Vegas on Feb. 11.

The next day, Aiyuk’s girlfriend posted a cryptic message about his future in a since-deleted video on TikTok that read: “This might be the last time we step foot at Levi’s cause we might not be here next season.”

At the time, Aiyuk followed up with a post of his own that stated, “Don’t forget what got you there.”

Aiyuk’s friend also claimed the wideout was “leaving San Francisco” in a post on social media.

The 49ers open the 2024-25 season against the Jets in San Francisco on Sept. 9.