After Aiyuk posted an Instagram video on Sunday night in which he chanted "Go Commanders! Go Commanders! Go Commanders! Raise Hail! Take Command!" ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the receiver's erratic behavior is actually scaring teams away.
"I think every time he opens his mouth, he damages his standing with other teams and he scares other teams from bringing him into their organization," Schefter said.
Among the franchises with meaningful questions about Aiyuk, per Schefter, is Washington itself, the very team Aiyuk has been publicly courting.
A Saga With Near-Daily Updates
The Aiyuk situation has produced new developments almost every day for the past two weeks.
It began with Aiyuk taking to Instagram to call the 49ers organization "stupid" and "dumb" for paying him so much money up front on his $120 million contract before voiding his guarantees.
"They mad because they stupid," Aiyuk said in one video. "They dumb. They mad that they paid me $50 million in eight months and then voided my guarantees. And I'm about to be on a new team in 2026."
Brandon Aiyuk with another message on IG:
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 24, 2026
“If I’m crazy or if I’m cappin’, tell them boys cut me today and I’ll sign with the Commanders tomorrow. We’ll see who’s cappin’.” https://t.co/z2zfTMMzKE pic.twitter.com/yixb5pRzw4
He has since shifted toward openly cheering for Washington, posting the chant video and an image of Mark Rypien hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after the franchise's 1992 Super Bowl win.
Aiyuk's desire to land in Washington is rooted in his relationship with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, his former teammate at Arizona State.
The Background Teams Are Weighing
Aiyuk has not caught a pass in an NFL game since October 2024, when he tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus.
He never played in 2025 after communication between the player and the 49ers broke down, leading to a reserve/left squad designation, and per Jeremy Fowler, Aiyuk ghosted the team multiple times during his rehab.
His contract carries a base cash value north of $26 million, and his trade value is now described as almost zero.
49ers tight end George Kittle, while complimentary of Aiyuk's skill and work ethic, issued a warning on the Pardon My Take podcast.
🚨🚨 #49ers Brandon Aiyuk, who hasn’t played in an NFL game in 604 days,
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) June 24, 2026
"You have fun with all that comes with him," Kittle said, one of several subtle shots at his teammate.
The 49ers are expected to release Aiyuk before training camp begins in late July if no trade partner emerges.
When that happens, per a longtime NFL executive who spoke with Jason La Canfora, Aiyuk may hit the market not as a coveted alpha receiver but as a cautionary tale.
"I think they're finally done with him," the executive said, adding that his own team would not pursue Aiyuk even on a veteran-minimum deal. "We don't need that here."
