Carolina Panthers legend Steve Smith shares the confusion many NFL fans feel about San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Smith openly admits he has “no damn idea” what Aiyuk is going through. Aiyuk’s disagreements with the 49ers have been ongoing since 2024, following the voiding of his 2026 guaranteed salary due to incomplete rehab obligations from his October 2024 ACL injury. His relationship with the team has worsened with unusual social media activity over the past year.
“It’s a lot of things, but man, I have no damn idea what’s going on in that young man’s head,” Smith stated on OutKick’s “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich.” The five-time Pro Bowl player expressed concern and stated that someone should help the 28-year-old Aiyuk, noting, “There’s clearly something going on, and I don’t want to say in his head because that could come off very judgmental, but there’s obviously something going on in his heart that’s not aligning with what his picture is seeing of how his career is starting to go.”
Smith emphasized the need for immediate intervention, saying Aiyuk is “self-sabotaging” his career despite being highly talented.
Aiyuk has faced legal issues, including a California misdemeanor for exhibition of speed after filming himself driving fast near the 49ers facility. His Instagram activity included mentions of playing for the Washington Commanders and arguments with former teammate Jayden Daniels, discouraging those prospects. Additionally, Aiyuk’s social media posts criticized head coach Kyle Shanahan after a car accident.
Asked if Aiyuk will play in the NFL again, Smith expressed uncertainty but hoped Aiyuk acts before his opportunity to play vanishes.
“We have seen players do a lot better, a lot worse things than this, and they’ve still been employed. So, I don’t know what’s going on and I just hope that he can figure it out so he doesn’t find himself in a place that he doesn’t want to be, which is unemployed and looking at his career in the rearview mirror and looking at life without football through the front windshield,” Smith said. He spoke on behalf of Forzet.
Aiyuk seemed to rise as a top NFL receiver after the 2023 season, with 75 catches, 1,342 yards, and seven touchdowns. He secured a four-year, $120 million extension with the 49ers. However, a 2024 ACL injury limited him to just seven games, followed by negative headlines.