Brandon Aiyuk kept dissing the San Francisco 49ers throughout the offseason, expecting the team to move on from him so he could join the Washington Commanders, his preferred landing spot.
However, the situation has only worsened for him. As he awaits a resolution of some sort, 49ers general manager John Lynch’s unusual response to questions about the wide receiver on Monday quickly became a talking point in the NFL community.
49ers GM John Lynch’s Cold Brandon Aiyuk Response Goes Viral
Aiyuk previously blamed part of the tension between himself and the 49ers on his former agent, Ryan Williams, who has a friendship and business relationship with Lynch. During a YouTube video in June, Aiyuk also alleged that Lynch visited his home partly to apologize for the actions of head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Nothing has changed between Aiyuk and the 49ers since then, as the wide receiver remains under contract with San Francisco but is currently listed on the Reserve/Left Squad list. In practical terms, Aiyuk is no longer involved with the team.
The situation became even more interesting when Lynch was asked about Aiyuk on Monday, and he had a hilarious reaction.
“Who is that?” Lynch asked.
START PREPARING: PFN’s Free Fantasy Draft Simulator
The comment may not have been intended as a jab, as Lynch could simply have failed to hear the question properly. However, football fans quickly turned the exchange into a hilarious moment and shared their reactions.
“That was pretty funny. Not sure how Lynch and Kyle didn’t crack a smile on that one!” a fan said.
That was pretty funny. Not sure how Lynch and Kyle didn’t crack a smile on that one!
— Invader49er (@Invader49er) September 1, 2026
“Should’ve said that when they asked about Aaron Donald, too,” one said.
“Bruh😂😂😂 I love John,” a 49ers fan page wrote.
“‘WHO’🥶,” one added.
BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM: PFN’s Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator
September 1 had been seen as a possible turning point in Aiyuk’s situation. Many expected the receiver to take the necessary steps to get San Francisco to release him. However, doing so would have required Aiyuk to apply for reinstatement and report to the team, and he chose not to.
Lynch was also asked about an option bonus that Aiyuk had previously been scheduled to receive on September 1. The question was whether the bonus remained applicable while Aiyuk was on the Reserve/Left Squad list or whether the 49ers would need to make a roster move before the deadline, and Lynch confirmed that the situation had not changed.
With Aiyuk still on the Reserve/Left Squad list, he is not currently in line to receive payment from the 49ers.
“Petty organization,” one person remarked.
“You know who he is. Like he’s on the roster still,” a netizen said.
You know who he is. Like he’s on the roster still. https://t.co/qryRmlnIcw
— Shareef (@train_abc) August 31, 2026
Meanwhile, the 49ers have also moved forward with a change involving Aiyuk’s old jersey number. Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson is changing from No. 7 to No. 11, Aiyuk’s former number in San Francisco.
