Brandon Aiyuk has likely ended his career with the San Francisco 49ers after missing the 2025 season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), but one Super Bowl champion strongly disagrees with how the franchise is handling the situation involving the wide receiver at this time.
Keyshawn Johnson Is Outraged With the 49ers After Brandon Aiyuk’s Departure
Former player and Super Bowl champion Keyshawn Johnson, during his appearance on the DraftKings Network, harshly criticized the 49ers’ management, citing a breakdown in the relationship after the franchise voided approximately $27 million in financial guarantees for Aiyuk’s 2026 salary.
“You’re taking 27 million dollars of my money. I’m not gonna answer your phone call, nor am I gonna speak to you. Whose fault is it? It’s the blame game now. As a professional athlete, when an organization stands up there at a press conference [year-end presser] and puts everything on you, you become the bad guy. But the devils are in the details. What are the details?” said Johnson.
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“These coaches are dirty. They scandalous. They’re like coyotes. They got everybody out there thinking there’s something really wrong with this dude and it may just be ‘I’m not f**ing with you’. You see what I’m saying? I don’t want to be around you. So therefore the best way for me to get away from this situation, is not deal with you.”
Keyshawn Johnson gives his thoughts on the Brandon Aiyuk – 49ers situation:
“You’re taking 27 million dollars of my money. I’m not gonna answer your phone call, nor am I gonna speak to you. Whose fault is it? It’s the blame game now. As a professional athlete, when an… pic.twitter.com/sdgJKyRfiR
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) February 13, 2026
The 49ers signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension with Aiyuk (who ranked No. 4 in the PFSN WR Impact metric with an A- grade in 2023) before the next season. However, problems began after the WR had a disagreement with coach Kyle Shanahan for not wearing the correct practice uniform.
After an unimpressive start to the 2024 season, Aiyuk suffered a serious knee injury in October, but the San Francisco franchise was reportedly outraged after reports that he missed rehabilitation sessions.
In July 2025, the 49ers canceled his contract guarantees, prompting Aiyuk to stop attending the club’s facilities and cease communication with the organization. In December 2025, he was placed on the reserve/left squad list, and general manager John Lynch confirmed that Aiyuk would no longer wear a 49ers jersey.
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After huge negotiations in 2024, Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension, but the impact was considerably reduced after an ACL and MCL tear in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
