“Hate this s**t so much!” – Brandon Aiyuk unfollowing 49ers on Instagram has fans predicting 49ers’ downfall

Aiyuk and the 49ers have failed to negotiate the terms for a new contract.

“Hate this s**t so much!” – Brandon Aiyuk unfollowing 49ers on Instagram has fans predicting 49ers’ downfall

Brandon Aiyuk (#11) before the game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers on January 7, 2024 at Lev™s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Image via IMAGO)

It’s deja vu for the San Francisco 49ers all over again. The team’s wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, has been engaged in negotiations for an extension with the team for months. He is presently expected to play under his fifth-year option, which would pay him $14.1 million for the 2024 season. Despite months of back-and-forth, Aiyuk and the 49ers have failed to reach a common consensus with respect to his contract.

As a result, the wide receiver has taken a page from Deebo Samuel‘s playbook and unfollowed the team on Instagram. A common tactic used by players these days to send a strong message indicating waning patience and hoping to compel the team to give-in to their demands. Brandon Aiyuk and his camp have previously indicated his interest to join the Pittsburgh Steelers if the 49ers do not recognize his value.

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That appears to be a move to compel the 49ers to offer him what he wants. This marks a rise in the tension between the team and the player despite the claim of GM John Lynch, of the management “Actively talking” with him with respect to his contract extension.

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Brandon Aiyuk has made it clear that he intends to be compensated well for his skillset

The wide receiver will be firm on his demands. In a recent appearance on The Nightcap Show with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson, Aiyuk made the following statement.

I'm trying to get what I deserve. I feel like this season, this season playing football, I figured out who I was as a person and a player, what I bring to the table, what I bring to the locker room, what I bring to the organization. And just the value I hold when I walk in that building. People going to follow me because I've done it the right way since I've been in that building. From the first day I walked in there...I've done it the right way.
Brandon Aiyuk said

Brandon Aiyuk
Brandon Aiyuk (via IMAGO)

After such an open statement of his demands, the recent social media activity of Aiyuk just goes on to tell more about his stand. 49ers’ fans began to express concern about Aiyuk’s departure by reacting to the news on X:

Need this level of confidence in life.

Except the fact that he showed up for his team in the playoffs…

This approach worked for Deebo Samuel, who threatened to hold out and unfollowed the team on social media. It led to the team offering him a three-year contract worth $71 million with $58 of it guaranteed. Will the same apply for Brandon Aiyuk? Time will dictate that.

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