San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk took a shot at Washington Commanders quarterback, ex-Arizona State teammate and friend Jayden Daniels in an Instagram story that dropped Saturday.
Daniels has since responded to Aiyuk accordingly.
“Probably gonna text me and talk about something,” Aiyuk began.
He then appeared to perhaps try to paraphrase Daniels with his next remarks.
“You follow my team now, you follow my rules.”
Aiyuk then continued: “Boy, I’m a grown-ass man, boy. You gonna have to stop running behind your momma, and I might believe what you talkin’ bout, but until then…”
Aiyuk then shook his head no before ending the video.
On Thursday, Aiyuk posted a social media video telling fans that he would be a Commander soon.
Last month, Aiyuk told fans that they could find tickets to see him on the Commanders’ website.
To be clear, though, Aiyuk is currently signed with the 49ers on a four-year, $120 million extension with $76 million in guarantees.
Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee in Oct. 2024 and has not played since. He posted 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023, catching 153 passes and 15 touchdowns during those years. In addition, Aiyuk also helped lead the 49ers to the 2023 NFC title.
However, Aiyuk’s relationship with the 49ers has significantly soured over the past couple years. Marcus D. Smith of USA Today gave some insight on the matter, but as it stands now, the 49ers have him on the “reserve/left squad” section of its listed roster.
As Grant Gordon of NFL.com noted, the 49ers have voided all the money they owe Aiyuk in 2026.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network gave some insight on the matter on the latest edition of Insiders (h/t Gordon) earlier in June.
“First of all, here’s what the San Francisco 49ers would like: They have his rights, he’s not due any guaranteed money because he forfeited that by not showing up to his rehab,” Rapoport said Monday. “So, they would like to trade him, probably to the Commanders, with his old friend Jayden Daniels and an organization that obviously knows him well, considering (Commanders general manager) Adam Peters was in San Francisco. …
“What the Commanders would like to do is sign him without having to trade him. … We’re in a situation where nobody wants to move at all. They’re all staring at each other. There’s really no deadline to make a move at all. So, until and unless everyone gets tired of Brandon Aiyuk sending Instagram messages, this is going to be a storyline that takes us through the summer.”
This latest video and interaction with Daniels adds to the storyline and ultimately casts doubt that Aiyuk will be a Commander. It’s also still remains unclear where Aiyuk will play in 2026 (if he plays at all) at this juncture.
