Brandon Aiyuk’s Off-Field Concerns Add More Uncertainty to 49ers’ WR Picture
Brandon Aiyuk has made headlines this week-and not for anything that happened between the lines. The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver, who’s been sidelined since Week 7 with a season-ending knee injury, drew attention after posting a video to social media showing himself speeding past Levi’s Stadium at over 100 MPH, music blaring from his car’s sound system. The clip quickly went viral, racking up over 300,000 views on X.
It’s the kind of off-field moment that raises eyebrows, especially given the context of Aiyuk’s current standing with the team. Once a key piece of San Francisco’s offensive puzzle, Aiyuk’s future with the franchise is now murky at best.
A Once-Central Figure Now on the Outside Looking In
Drafted 25th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, Aiyuk came into the league with high expectations-and for much of his tenure, he lived up to them. Over five seasons, he’s put up 4,305 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns, contributing to three playoff runs during that span. His route running, yards-after-catch ability, and chemistry with his quarterbacks made him a reliable weapon in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
That production earned him a four-year, $120 million contract extension from the 49ers in August 2024-a clear sign that the organization saw him as a long-term cornerstone.
But things changed dramatically after Week 7, when Aiyuk suffered a devastating knee injury-a torn ACL and MCL-in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Since then, he hasn’t returned to the field, and his presence around the team has dwindled.
From PUP to Reserve: A Shift in Status and Tone
In July, Aiyuk was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list as he continued his rehab. But last week, the team made a notable move, shifting him to the reserve/left squad list.
That change wasn’t just procedural-it came with financial and roster implications. Most notably, the 49ers voided $27 million in guaranteed money that Aiyuk was set to receive in 2026.
That decision signaled a deeper rift between player and team, and head coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t shy away from addressing it after San Francisco’s 37-24 win over the Titans.
“We haven’t seen him in forever,” Shanahan told reporters. “That’s the decision they make.
It’s pretty simple for me. I haven’t seen him in a month.
It hasn’t been an issue with our team at all. We’ve been plugging away.
No big deal. It’s something we’ve been used to for a while.”
That’s a telling quote. It’s not just that Aiyuk hasn’t played-it’s that he hasn’t been around. And while Shanahan stopped short of criticizing the receiver directly, the tone was clear: the 49ers have moved on, at least for now.
Hopes Faded Early
Shanahan also acknowledged that while he had held out hope Aiyuk might return at some point this season, that optimism faded quickly.
“I really have been hoping he would come back all year, but not one point I was really planning on it,” Shanahan said. “I would love to have B.A. out there, would love that type of player. But that was something I realized early on wasn’t going to come for a while and there was nothing that made me sit there and think it was happening soon.”
That’s a tough pill for any team to swallow-especially one with championship aspirations. Aiyuk brings a dynamic element to the offense that few receivers can replicate. But the 49ers have had to adjust, leaning on other pieces in the receiving corps to fill the void.
What Comes Next?
The 49ers are 10-4 heading into a Monday night matchup against the Colts, and they’ve managed to stay on track despite Aiyuk’s absence. But the long-term questions remain. With the voided guarantees and his current status, it’s fair to wonder whether Aiyuk has played his last down in a 49ers uniform.
For now, the focus remains on the field. But the situation surrounding Brandon Aiyuk is one the team-and the league-will be watching closely as the offseason approaches.