Brandon Aiyuk's tenure with the San Francisco 49ers appears to be nearing its end, as the veteran wide receiver seems to continue causing a stir. Recently, Aiyuk directed a not-so-subtle jab at Kyle Shanahan, his head coach, following news of Shanahan's serious car accident on July 14, where he sustained multiple injuries, including a broken nose, three ribs, and extensive facial stitches.

In the wake of this incident, Aiyuk posted a couple of questionable messages on his Instagram story. The first read:

You can't win the race if you crash out,

Aiyuk's absence from the start of 49ers training camp has raised eyebrows, as he remains on the team's reserve/left squad list. General Manager John Lynch commented that the organization would concentrate on the players present, wishing Aiyuk and his family well.

This incident follows a tumultuous period for Aiyuk, who faced a decline in his standing with the team after a rocky contract negotiation, which included a trade request. He ultimately signed a four-year, $120 million extension but struggled throughout the 2024 season, even clashing with Shanahan over uniform choices. Aiyuk's ACL tear and subsequent issues with his rehabilitation led to the 49ers voiding guarantees in his contract. Lynch previously indicated that it was likely Aiyuk had played his last snap with the team.