San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has publicly declared his intention to join the Washington Commanders, posting an image of new cleats with a caption stating, "I’m going so crazy in burgundy n gold you can stamp that!!" Aiyuk's pronouncement comes while he remains under contract with the 49ers and with no public indication that the Commanders have made a move for him.
The wide receiver's campaign to join Washington has been intertwined with a public social media dispute with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, his former teammate at Arizona State. Aiyuk had initially promoted the idea of a reunion in Washington. However, the relationship appeared to sour after Daniels reportedly laughed when a fan directed an expletive at Aiyuk during a World Cup match.
Following the incident, Aiyuk responded on social media, reportedly involving Daniels' mother in the exchange. Daniels' reply, a Kevin Durant thumbs-down meme, and subsequent unfollowing on Instagram by both players signaled a rift. Aiyuk later claimed Daniels had advised him to handle the matter privately and to call him directly, but Aiyuk stated Daniels was not answering his calls.
"He said, ‘I don’t do that internet s—, bro. Hit my phone if you gotta talk to me. You got my number,’" Aiyuk recounted in a video. "When I call, he don’t answer. Hit my phone, bro. It’s important. It’s the money on the line."
Aiyuk has also expressed his stance on his online presence, stating, "I gotta get paid somehow, because an employer is holding me captive without pay. At least social media is paying. I’ll tell y’all what. If I get a job back in the NFL, I’m still going to be on my bulls— on social media."
While Aiyuk's talent is recognized, his public declarations and ongoing social media activity add a layer of uncertainty to his offseason. His expressed desire for a move to Washington was initially linked to his connection with Daniels, but his assertive public statements have characterized the situation as unusual.