Former NFL receiver Steve Smith Sr. admitted he is perplexed by the actions of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk during the offseason. Smith stated that he has "no damn idea" what is occurring with Aiyuk and suggested that someone close to the player needs to step in.

"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 said during an appearance on OutKick's "Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich." "He needs to have someone in his camp needs to sit him down and ask him what is his real goal and outcome because everything he's doing right now, he is self-sabotaging himself. Because he's a hell of a football player."

Aiyuk's situation with the 49ers began in 2024 when the team voided his 2026 guaranteed salary after he did not fulfill obligations related to his rehabilitation from an ACL injury sustained in October 2024. His public conduct has further distanced him from the team, including social media posts that have drawn attention.

These posts have included expressing interest in playing for the Washington Commanders via Instagram Stories, which was seemingly put to rest after a social media exchange with former Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels. Aiyuk also reportedly made critical remarks about head coach Kyle Shanahan on social media following a car accident.

Additionally, Aiyuk was charged with exhibition of speed, a California misdemeanor, after filming himself speeding near the 49ers facility. Smith expressed hope that Aiyuk can resolve his issues before it is too late for his NFL career.

"We all 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 added.

Despite the off-field issues, Aiyuk had a strong 2023 season, recording 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. He played in only seven games in 2024 before his season-ending ACL injury and has not yet returned to the field.