Brandon Aiyuk’s Own Receiver Coach Criticises Him After 49ers Fiasco

Strong words.

Sep 29, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

It’s now April in the offseason, and the San Francisco 49ers still haven’t released wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan’s latest update is that the situation will “resolve itself.” Vice president of football operations John Lynch said in January that Aiyuk had played his last snap for the organisation, while owner Jed York has admitted he would be open to keeping Aiyuk on the roster.

The difference in opinion within the organisation is not only strange, and while it could be construed as a way to try and secure a trade pick for Aiyuk, another perspective has emerged - this time from Aiyuk’s own wide receiver coach - and it is far from a positive assessment.

TJ Houshmandzadeh doesn't trust Aiyuk after 49ers drama

Jul 24, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk works out with his teammates during the second day of training camp. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

The 49ers voided Aiyuk's guarantees after he skipped some of his mandated knee rehabs at the team facility following a torn ACL and MCL midway through 2024.

It's evident that the injury has taken a toll on him and his mental health, but his own wide receiver coach, TJ Houshmandzadeh, has publicly delivered some stern words about his behaviour, questioning his professionalism.

“He can really play anywhere, but at what cost? Can I trust him? I don’t know… If anybody gives him a crazy amount of money, they should be fired tomorrow," shared Houshmandzadeh on the Speak Easy show.

"No owner is gonna allow a GM to pay BA that type of money after the way he just acted in San Francisco.

"If you want to play for $5 million and maybe $3-4 million in incentives, we gonna take you. If you think you’re getting a dollar more than that, somebody else, y’all got this.”

These are very strong words after all the fallout. And it’s completely valid.

Aiyuk effectively quit on the team and it’s abundantly clear that he will command hardly any, if any, trade value ahead of the draft for a compensatory pick.

The organisation is likely keeping him until after June 1 to maximise salary-cap flexibility. One potential landing spot could be the Washington Commanders, where Aiyuk could reunite with his former college teammate Jayden Daniels.

However, the risk associated with bringing in Aiyuk may limit him to a one-year prove-it deal at most. Teams could be hesitant given the recent drama, while the 49ers’ priority will likely be resolving the situation with as little financial damage as possible.