The writing seems to be on the wall for Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers. What looked like a long-term partnership after a lucrative four-year contract extension has quickly unraveled. Now, with tensions rising and off-field distractions piling up, Aiyuk’s days in the Bay Area appear numbered.
On Saturday, Aiyuk posted a video that raised more than a few eyebrows - and not in a good way. The clip showed him speeding past Levi’s Stadium, with the dashboard reading over 100 MPH. It’s a reckless move at any time, but especially now, when his future with the team is already under intense scrutiny.
This latest incident comes on the heels of the 49ers placing Aiyuk on the “left squad” list. Head coach Kyle Shanahan recently confirmed that he hasn’t seen Aiyuk in over a month - a telling sign of just how far the relationship has deteriorated.
Internally, the team seems to be preparing for a split. According to reports, the 49ers have voided the guaranteed money in Aiyuk’s contract for next season.
And with no pushback from the wide receiver’s camp, it appears the door is wide open for his release at the end of the season.
It’s a stunning turn of events for a player who, not long ago, looked like a foundational piece of San Francisco’s offense. Just last year, Aiyuk put together a breakout season - 75 catches, 1,342 yards, and seven touchdowns - earning him Second-Team All-Pro honors. He was one of the league’s most efficient and explosive wideouts, a perfect complement to the 49ers’ dynamic offense.
But since then, it’s been a steady decline. Aiyuk suffered a season-ending knee injury in October and was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
He was never activated. The injury sidelined him, but the off-field drama has only added layers to the story.
From contract complications to now a social media post that’s gone viral for all the wrong reasons, Aiyuk’s situation has turned into one of the more puzzling sagas in the NFL this year.
Still, talent like his doesn’t stay on the market long. At 27, Aiyuk is squarely in his prime, and when healthy, he’s shown he can be a game-changer.
Multiple teams have reportedly shown interest in acquiring him, and it’s easy to see why. Playmakers with his route-running ability, deep-threat speed, and physicality after the catch don’t grow on trees.
The question now is: where does he go from here? A fresh start might be just what he needs - a chance to reset, get healthy, and remind the league of the player he was in 2023. The drama surrounding his exit from San Francisco may linger for now, but if he can recapture that All-Pro form, Aiyuk could become one of the offseason’s biggest additions - wherever he lands.