Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk appears to be making it crystal clear where he wants to play next. The San Francisco 49ers pass-catcher took to Instagram on Sunday night to publicly root for the Washington Commanders, shouting in his story, “Go Commanders! Go Commanders! Go Commanders! Raise Hail! Take Command!”
Aiyuk also shared a photo of Washington quarterback Mark Rypien hoisting the Lombardi Trophy following Washington’s Super Bowl XXVI championship victory.
The 28-year-old receiver has been in an uncertain situation this offseason after 49ers general manager John Lynch stated in January that “it’s safe to say that he’s played his last snap with the Niners.” Despite that declaration, San Francisco has neither released Aiyuk nor found a team willing to take him in a trade.
Aiyuk missed the entire 2024 season after suffering tears to his ACL, MCL, and meniscus in October of that year. Since then, he has used his social media platforms to express his frustration with the organization. Earlier this month, he described the team as “dumb” and “stupid” for continuing to pay him, and suggested the franchise was afraid of how effectively he might perform against them if he landed elsewhere.
Part of his interest in Washington may stem from a personal connection — Aiyuk shares a close bond with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, the two having been teammates at Arizona State.
Aiyuk had signed a four-year, $120 million contract back in August 2024. However, the 49ers voided the guaranteed money remaining on the deal last summer and eventually placed him on the reserve/left team list after he stopped reporting to the team facility to rehabilitate his right knee.
Before his injury, Aiyuk was one of the top performers in San Francisco, leading the team with 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions in 2023. Across five NFL seasons, the former first-round pick from the 2020 draft has recorded 294 catches for 4,305 yards and 25 touchdowns with the 49ers.
