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Brandon Aiyuk #11 looks on in a 49ers game against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Playoffs on January 20, 2024.

The Brandon Aiyuk drama continues for the San Francisco 49ers.

It’s unlikely that many 49ers fans are paying attention to Aiyuk’s text posts on his YouTube account. But 49ers insider Grant Cohn from Sports Illustrated is, and he uncovered another rant from Aiyuk about the 49ers on the platform, posted on Monday June 23, 2025.

“They was talking bout trading me while I was off percocets /muscle relaxers and peeing in a cup by my bed!” Aiyuk wrote. “Couldn’t walk for 10 weeks ain’t nobody trading for me.”

This shed light on just how rough Aiyuk’s recovery from his ACL and MCL tears during the 2024 season got, but also, his emotions toward the 49ers franchise, which still seem to be negative.

More of Aiyuk’s Posts On That Platform Are Eye Catching

That’s not the only captivating post that Aiyuk has made on the platform in recent weeks.

Just two weeks ago, Aiyuk seemingly made a comment on his contract situation and recovery, which was also not particularly joyful.

“I need my [chicken emoji] for I even think bout [walking emoji] thru,” Aiyuk wrote.

Cohn and other fans are speculating that Aiyuk wants more money for some reason, which is what he means by “chicken”. Former superstar running back Marshawn Lynch once referred to money as chicken in a press conference.

If that’s true, Aiyuk wants more money before he thinks about walking through plays with the 49ers?

But the 49ers just signed him to a 4-year, $120 million extension last offseason. So why could he possibly be expecting more money just an offseason later?

Aiyuk also said he wants to try playing cornerback two weeks ago, though that comment could have definitely been just a lighthearted joke.

“I’m tryna play corner [for real],” Aiyuk wrote.

It seems that Aiyuk thought he could use the text posts on YouTube, which not many people pay attention to, to more discreetly speak his mind without the attention of national media and his team.

Unfortunately, Mr. Aiyuk, the national media has caught on.

Aiyuk Apparently Progressing Well From Injury — But Will He Be Traded?

On Thursday June 12, 2025, 49ers general manager John Lynch joined the Pat McAfee show to share an update on Aiyuk’s injury progress.

He seemed excited about Aiyuk’s health and seeing him in a 49ers uniform in 2025.

“It’s kind of incredible how well he’s healing, and he’s putting in the work,” Lynch said. “We’re proud of Brandon, and we’re looking forward to him being part of this team moving forward.”

49ers fans would love to see a happy, healthy Aiyuk in red and gold in 2025.

However, some fans are fed up with all of the drama, and Cohn agrees with them.

In a post on X after discovering Aiyuk’s YouTube activity, Cohn suggested the 49ers swap Aiyuk for the Washington Commanders’ Terry McLaurin.

“Brandon Aiyuk doesn’t want to play for us the 49ers,” Cohn wrote. “Terry McLaurin doesn’t want to play for the Commanders. Brandon Aiyuk is best friends with Jayden Daniels. Trade Aiyuk and picks for McLaurin.”

That potential trade would reunite Aiyuk with Daniels, his former college teammate, and former WR teammate with the 49ers Deebo Samuel.

But what do 49ers fans think? Is a trade for McLaurin worth it — or should the 49ers keep investing in Brandon Aiyuk?

Ethan Inman is a sports journalist covering the San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders for heavy.com. He also co-hosts a college football podcast for The Voice of College Football, and writes about the NBA and MLB. He has previously covered the USC Trojans, the NHL, college baseball, and the intersection of sports and popular culture for other publications. He is based in the greater Los Angeles area. More about Ethan Inman

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