New Brandon Aiyuk Rumors on Commanders' Stance on Contract Before IG Videos Calling Out 49ers

The near-daily Instagram videos from Brandon Aiyuk not only don't seem to be putting pressure on the San Francisco 49ers to release him, but they also could be negatively impacting how the Washington Commanders feel about signing him if he were to become a free agent.

In response to a mailbag question about the Commanders' interest in Aiyuk, The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala noted earlier in the offseason they were "willing to consider" signing him to a "highly incentivized" contract given the connections people in the organization have to the veteran wideout.

Jhabvala added there was not any real consideration given by the Commanders to trading for Aiyuk on his current contract.

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was Aiyuk's teammate in college during the 2019 season at Arizona State. Adam Peters was hired as Washington's general manager in 2024 after seven seasons working in San Francisco's front office, including when Aiyuk was drafted in 2020.

That feeling from the Commanders was before Aiyuk began his social-media crusade against the 49ers. His many posts include calling the organization "stupid"; insulting 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, general manager John Lynch and his now-former agent, Ryan Williams; putting money in a backpack and spreading it around his closet floor.

Aiyuk has also called out the NFL Players Association for what he said was not working in his best interest.

In a lot of his videos, Aiyuk has also made direct references to playing for the Commanders and mentioned never setting foot in the 49ers' facilities again except for Oct. 19 when Washington is scheduled to play San Francisco at Levi's Stadium.

This whole situation dates back to the 2024 offseason when Aiyuk and the 49ers were engaged in a contract standoff that eventually ended with him signing a four-year, $120 million extension.

Even after the contract situation got worked out, Aiyuk and the 49ers never seemed to be on the same page. He caught just 25 passes for 347 yards with no touchdowns in seven starts to open the 2024 season.

Aiyuk tore his ACL and MCL in a Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2024 campaign, which remains the last time he appeared in an NFL game to this point.

The 49ers have since voided the remaining guaranteed money in his contract for missing meetings and team activities for an extended period last season during his injury rehab.

Even though the 49ers have made it clear Aiyuk won't play for them ever again, they have not yet officially released him. It's unclear when they will make that move, though it could potentially happen around the start of training camp next month.