49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk draws concern from ex-NFL star

Bakhtiari, who shared his concerns on X, said he was troubled by what he sees as a potentially concerning situation for the 49ers wideout.

"I feel for Brandon Aiyuk," Bakhtiari wrote. "Injuries, fame, and money can pollute the mind. If he is really spinning out and posting for all of social media to see, I hope his peers and inner circle are influencing him to get the help he needs rather than enabling for their own gain."

He added: "It seems evident that the direction he is going will not end well for anyone involved."

Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the 49ers ahead of the 2024 season but appeared in just seven games before suffering ACL and MCL injuries.

During his rehab process, tensions reportedly grew between Aiyuk and the organization, eventually leading to a breakdown in communication. Eventually, the receiver cut off contact with the team altogether.

The 49ers announced in January that Aiyuk's future in San Francisco had likely come to an end, and the team has since explored trade options. However, moving the wide receiver has proven difficult, as interested teams are aware that the 49ers will eventually be forced to release him.

Complicating matters further, teams have reportedly struggled to communicate directly with Aiyuk to assess his interest in joining a new organization or discuss potential contract adjustments, as no team would be willing to acquire the receiver at his current salary.

Following the 2026 NFL Draft, general manager John Lynch addressed the situation bluntly, telling the league, "We're available. Give us a call."

So far, there has been little reported interest in taking the 49ers up on that offer.