Brandon Aiyuk’s time in San Francisco appears to be winding down - and not quietly. The 49ers wide receiver, once a key piece of their offensive future, now finds himself not only off the field but also under scrutiny for off-field behavior that’s raising eyebrows in the Bay Area.
Let’s start with the football side. Aiyuk hasn’t been around the team for months, and the 49ers officially placed him on the reserve/left team list a week ago.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan recently described Aiyuk as “extremely distant,” which lines up with what we've seen - or rather, haven’t seen - from the wideout since he suffered a devastating knee injury midway through the 2024 season. That injury, which included a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus in Week 7, ended his year and may have marked the end of his tenure in red and gold.
Just a year ago, Aiyuk looked like a long-term fixture in San Francisco. He was coming off a breakout 2023 campaign that helped power the 49ers to Super Bowl 58, and the team rewarded him with a four-year, $120 million extension in the 2024 offseason.
That deal signaled confidence in Aiyuk’s role as a cornerstone of the offense - a trusted target with elite route-running skills and big-play ability. But things have unraveled quickly.
Now, Aiyuk is making headlines for reasons that have nothing to do with football. In a recent YouTube video, the receiver showcased his new car - and in doing so, drew the attention of local law enforcement.
The footage shows Aiyuk driving over 100 mph on a freeway near Levi’s Stadium, and later clocking in at 104 mph in a 40 mph zone near intersections adjacent to the stadium. That’s not just reckless - it’s potentially criminal.
The Santa Clara Police Department confirmed they’re aware of the video and are currently reviewing it. No charges or citations have been issued yet, but this isn’t the kind of attention any player - especially one already on shaky ground with his team - wants to draw.
It’s a dramatic turn for a player who, not long ago, was viewed as one of the NFL’s rising stars at wide receiver. His 2023 season put him on the national radar, and his chemistry with quarterback Brock Purdy was a major factor in the 49ers’ offensive success.
But the ACL tear in 2024 changed everything. Since then, Aiyuk has been absent from team activities, and his name has surfaced repeatedly in trade rumors.
Given the current situation, it’s hard to imagine he’ll wear a 49ers uniform again.
Whether or not Aiyuk faces legal consequences for the speeding incident, the writing seems to be on the wall in San Francisco. The 49ers had hoped he would be a foundational piece of their offense for years to come. Instead, it looks like they’ll be moving forward without him - and soon.