San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has drawn criticism and concern from NFL sources for his recent social media posts, particularly one that appears to reference head coach Kyle Shanahan's recent car accident. The posts, made on Instagram, have fueled speculation about Aiyuk's future with the team amid an ongoing contract dispute.
Aiyuk posted "You can't win the race if you crash out," followed by "Keep yo head up and stay in yo own lane. You gone win." on his Instagram story. This appeared shortly after news broke that Shanahan suffered multiple broken ribs, a broken nose, a broken hand, and concussion symptoms from a head-on collision. Shanahan took responsibility for the accident, stating he dropped his phone while driving, which caused his Tesla to veer into oncoming traffic.
Multiple NFL sources expressed disappointment and disgust to Fox News Digital, with one calling Aiyuk's behavior "disgusted" as he seemed to be mocking his coach's misfortune. The timing of the posts has raised questions about Aiyuk's professionalism and potential impact on his career prospects.
The current situation between Aiyuk and the 49ers stems from a dispute that began in 2024, intensifying last November when the team voided his 2026 guaranteed salary due to his failure to meet rehabilitation obligations following an October 2024 ACL injury. Although Aiyuk remains under contract, his future with the team is uncertain, with both Shanahan and general manager John Lynch indicating he may not play for them again. Aiyuk is currently on the "reserve/left squad" list and not participating in team training camp.
During his time away from the team, Aiyuk has been active on social media. He previously posted a video of himself allegedly driving at high speeds near the 49ers' training facility, leading to charges for exhibition of speed. Another post showed him discarding wads of cash, a gesture interpreted by some as a statement of financial independence or a lack of need for the team's money.
Teams reportedly interested in Aiyuk, such as the Washington Commanders, are evaluating his social media activity. Commanders General Manager Adam Peters, when asked about the weight of a player's social media behavior in evaluations, stated that the team "look[s] at everything" to ensure players fit the team's culture. He added that while it's not always the primary factor, the team considers player conduct, locker room dynamics, and input from former teammates.
"We want to make sure it's the right player to be in our locker room, in our bloodstream, and in our culture," Peters said. "And we often, we look at that stuff. It's not always the first thing we look at. Obviously, you're looking at the tape and you talk to the teams that the players have been on and how they were in the locker room – the players that have played with them and so on and so forth to make those decisions. But, you know, that's not usually a huge part of it. Usually, he added.
Aiyuk's behavior, characterized by some as rebellious and erratic, is being scrutinized as potential trade talks or future team acquisitions are considered.