An arrest warrant has been issued for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on a misdemeanor speeding charge by the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office.
The warrant stems from a December YouTube video in which Aiyuk was shown exceeding the speed limit on Tasman Drive in his Cadillac near Levi's Stadium. He later deleted the footage.
The numbers are doing most of the announcement work here, which is usually how teams prefer it.
"Sorry ya'll, my car content won't come with speeding anymore," Aiyuk wrote in a post addressing the video. "Was praying with my son tonight and wouldn't want anybody else to miss out on an opportunity to do the same with their loved ones! My apologies."
Injury and contract situation
Aiyuk hasn't played since suffering a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus during the 2024 season. The 49ers placed him on the reserve/left squad list after he refused to participate in rehab sessions for his surgically repaired knee, which Voided nearly $27 million in guarantees for 2026.
Since June 1, the 49ers have had full latitude to trade or release Aiyuk without significant financial consequences. If released, the team would clear roughly $20 million in cap space.
Relationship past repair
General manager John Lynch stated in January that Aiyuk had "played his last snap" for the franchise despite holding a four-year, $120 million contract extension signed in 2024.
Coach Kyle Shanahan remarked last season on the unusual nature of voiding guarantees: "It takes a lot of things to get a contract voided. I've never dealt with that in my career and been in any building that's had that."
San Francisco has already moved on roster-wise, signing Mike Evans and Christian Kirk in free agency, drafting De'Zhaun Stribling in the second round and welcoming back third-year receiver Ricky Pearsall.
Lynch made Aiyuk available after the draft. "Give us a call," he said. "He's an extremely talented player. The situation didn't work itself out here. That's not to say it can't be rekindled somewhere else." So far, no takers have emerged.
What's next
Aiyuk previously requested a trade to the Washington Commanders in 2024 before ultimately re-signing with San Francisco. Much of that interest stemmed from his college connection with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels at Arizona State.
"There's a quarterback right there," Aiyuk said at the time. "I'm thinking about what I can do with him."
The talent has never been in question for a former first-rounder with two 1,000-yard seasons, including his 75-catch 2023 campaign when he averaged 17.9 yards per reception during the 49ers' Super Bowl run.