Brandon Aiyuk Takes Nasty Shots At Kyle Shanahan’s Car Crash On IG — Ends Any Chance Of Returning To 49ers [PHOTOS]
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Brandon Aiyuk’s social media habits have caused problems all offseason, and his latest posts might be the worst-timed yet. The disgruntled 49ers wideout shared a pair of cryptic Instagram stories that fans quickly connected to head coach Kyle Shanahan.
The timing is what made the posts sting. They landed the same day news broke that Shanahan had been in a serious car accident, and the racing references in Aiyuk’s stories didn’t sit well with people who saw them.
Brandon Aiyuk’s Cryptic Instagram Stories
The first story read, “You can’t win the race if you crash out,” paired with an explosion emoji and a checkered flag. The second followed a few minutes later:
“Keep yo head up and stay in yo own lane,” with a separate line adding, “You gone win,” also next to a checkered flag.
Brandon Aiyuk’s latest IG stories appear to be classless shots at Kyle Shanahan. pic.twitter.com/bEEm8EooFl
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 28, 2026
Taken on their own, the posts could pass as generic motivational content. But given Aiyuk’s track record and the timing next to Shanahan’s crash, plenty of NFL fans and reporters read them as a direct shot.
This wouldn’t be the first time Aiyuk’s online activity raised eyebrows for the wrong reasons. He was previously investigated after posting a video of himself driving well over 100 mph near Levi’s Stadium, and that clip alone drew attention from local police.
Brandon Aiyuk’s Feud With Kyle Shanahan Continues
Aiyuk and the 49ers have been heading toward a messy split for over a year now, and his relationship with Shanahan has been the centerpiece of the drama. The receiver has taken repeated shots at the coaching staff, and Shanahan even said Aiyuk’s disappearing act was something he’d never seen in over two decades of coaching.
Aiyuk hasn’t played since tearing his ACL and MCL last October, and he’s remained on the reserve/left squad list without requesting reinstatement. That status alone has fueled speculation about whether he’s actually done in San Francisco for good.
Whether Aiyuk intended the posts as a shot at Shanahan or not, the optics were bad. Fans piled on almost instantly, and the story adds one more chapter to a saga that’s already cost Aiyuk plenty of goodwill around the league.
For a receiver hoping to land a fresh start elsewhere, moments like this one make that path look even harder than it already did.
