San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has drawn heavy criticism this offseason after taking repeated shots at his own team on social media. However, two-time Super Bowl champion LeSean McCoy came to Aiyuk’s defense, offering support and understanding for the receiver’s online remarks.
LeSean McCoy Shows Support for Brandon Aiyuk Despite Ongoing 49ers Drama
As former NFL cornerback Richard Sherman explained on his recent podcast, Aiyuk’s issues with the 49ers may have started after their Super Bowl defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023. Sherman said that any lingering frustration from the loss, trade speculation, or other concerns should have been resolved before Aiyuk signed his contract extension. Alternatively, he could even have accepted a trade at that point.
Sherman does not believe the 49ers mishandled the situation or disrespected Aiyuk, but McCoy is among those who have expressed support for the wide receiver.
“What I’m saying is we don’t know what’s going down over there, though,” McCoy said in the latest episode of the “Speakeasy” podcast on Wednesday. “I mean, sure, I don’t know. All I’m saying is if I’m guessing something ain’t adding up because if a player has been a great player for the 49ers, you guys pay him his bread.
“Where do we go wrong? Cuz where I’m from, bro, we saw we play good, you play good, and everybody’s happy, something right there. I don’t know what it is. All I know is right now. My favorite player is Brandon.”
“ALL I KNOW IS…RIGHT NOW TODAY…MY FAVORITE PLAYER IS BRANDON AIYUK”
– @CutonDime25 goes to bat for Brandon Aiyuk and shows grace for his social media outbursts
WE ARE LIVE RIGHT NOW ⬇️ https://t.co/71DOlQim57 pic.twitter.com/hEFlLhwOVv
— Speakeasy (@speakeasytlkshw) June 25, 2026
Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the 49ers before the start of the 2024 season. The team voided $27 million guaranteed in his contract for 2026 last summer as he didn’t participate in meetings and other team activities.
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San Francisco can keep Aiyuk on the reserve list without him counting toward the salary cap or roster limits, and the situation could become more interesting moving forward.
Meanwhile, discussion about Aiyuk’s future has continued to grow, with many believing the Washington Commanders would be a leading candidate to sign him if the 49ers ultimately release him. Aiyuk has continued to fuel those rumors by posting content featuring a Commander’s hat and a football, along with a caption calling them “the best team in the world.”
Aiyuk later fueled the discussion further with an Instagram message, in which he boldly asked to be released.
“If I’m crazy or if I’m cappin’, tell them boys cut me today, and I’ll sign with the Commanders tomorrow,” Aiyuk said in the video. “We’ll see who’s cappin’.”
Aiyuk’s ongoing dispute with the 49ers clearly signals that he has little interest in remaining with the franchise, but openly promoting another team while still under contract is highly unusual in the NFL.
NFL insider Adam Schefter said conversations with teams around the league reveal growing concern about Aiyuk’s recent behavior.
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“I think every time he opens his mouth, he damages his standing with other teams, and he scares other teams from bringing him into their organization,” Schefter said. “In speaking with teams, everybody’s saying, ‘What’s wrong with this guy right now?'”
For now, Aiyuk remains under contract with the 49ers, and his public comments could potentially lead to disciplinary action or fines. If his goal is to eventually join Washington, repairing his relationship with San Francisco and formally seeking a release may be his best path forward.
