After being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk quickly became a premier weapon for the 49ers’ offense, seeing his yardage totals increase every season. That was until a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus in his right knee ended his 2024 season in October, and he has yet to return.
While Aiyuk quickly climbed his way to WR1 for the 49ers, it seems their relationship has soured during this injury and recovery despite San Francisco and WR agreeing to a four-year, $120 million contract extension in August 2024. Now, Aiyuk’s latest stunt outside of Levi Stadium has the NFL world concerned for his future.
Fans Express Concern for San Francisco WR Brandon Aiyuk After Speeding Incident
Since tearing his ACL and MCL against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7 of the 2024 season, Aiyuk has faced a long road to recovery that’s kept the sixth-year receiver out all of 2025. He has yet to be cleared to return from the injury and has been away from the team.
On Dec. 13, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the 49ers had placed Aiyuk on the reserve/left squad list after a lack of communication from him and his camp over recent weeks. This placement makes him ineligible to return this season and, after voiding his 2026 contract guarantees earlier in the season, raises some questions about whether he will be back with San Francisco next season.
However, his latest antics have the NFL world concerned. San Francisco Standard sports reporter David Lombardi shared a video on X of Aiyuk speeding past Levi’s Stadium, home of the 49ers, reaching speeds of up to 104 mph, as captured on his YouTube channel. Albert Breer quoted the video, explaining, “That’s not a highway he’s on. It’d be HARD to get up over 100 on that street.”
That’s not a highway he’s on.
It’d be HARD to get up over 100 on that street. https://t.co/bDp4odOw9h
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 21, 2025
The stunt is concerning, given how long his recovery has stalled his return to the field and his deteriorating relationship with the 49ers.
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While not head trauma or concussion-related, injuries can take a considerable toll on a player’s mental health, especially when it takes a while to return to the field. This fan offered an extreme comparison, posting on X, “Antonio Brown Jr. This dude needs serious help.”
Antonio Brown Jr.
This dude needs serious help.
— Eight the Great (@D_Money_20) December 20, 2025
His recent behavior is disappointing, as he had been improving with every season before the injury in 2024. In his rookie season, he played in 12 games, catching 60 passes for 748 yards and five touchdowns. He would set his career high for touchdowns in 2022, hauling in eight touchdown passes.
His best season came in 2023. Targeted 105 times, Aiyuk caught 75 for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. Despite tense contract negotiations that held him out of training camp in 2024, Aiyuk was starting to heat up in the two weeks leading up to his injury last season. Now, after his latest stunt, it seems his future is in question, with one fan commenting, “Literally speeding his way out of the league.”
Literally speeding his way out of the league https://t.co/NVaocLvR0f
— WyattzWorld (@WyattzWorId) December 20, 2025
Given all the commotion the last month surrounding his absence from the 49ers, not everyone was as concerned for the star wideout as some fans called him out, like this guy, who said, “[Aiyuk] is an absolute clown.”
Dude is an absolute clown https://t.co/5OHN2favI1
— Stoned Cody (@Scriber94) December 21, 2025
No matter how you feel about the situation, it seems clear that there’s more than just a physical injury going on with Aiyuk, as his recovery is taking a bit longer than expected.
While his behavior may have damaged his relationship with head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers, someone needs to prevent him from sabotaging his chances of securing a contract with another team as well.