NFL insider uses one word to describe Brandon Aiyuk's actions

Early this offseason, it seemed a foregone conclusion that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk would eventually land with the Washington Commanders once the San Francisco 49ers released him. The 49ers said in January they were finished with Aiyuk, and, given his salary cap number and the fact that he hasn’t played since Oct. 2024, trading him was never going to happen.

Aiyuk remained quiet until last month. At that time, he began posting videos to YouTube and Instagram, explaining his beef with the 49ers, criticizing their GM John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan, and other things. He also posted photos of himself wearing a Commanders hat or posing with a Washington football. Aiyuk has made it known he wants to sign with the Commanders, and that’s where he expects to land.

Two reasons why Aiyuk and Washington always felt like a natural fit: quarterback Jayden Daniels and GM Adam Peters. Daniels is close with Aiyuk, dating back to their time at Arizona State in 2019, when Aiyuk was a senior wide receiver and Daniels the freshman starting quarterback. Peters was part of San Francisco‘s front office when the 49ers selected him in the 2020 NFL Draft.

However, Aiyuk’s social media antics have led some to question if any team will pursue him when the 49ers release him.

On Saturday, Aiyuk may have taken things a bit too far. This time, Daniels was his target. The two then apparently unfollowed one another on social media. It led some Washington fans to speculate that Aiyuk and Daniels were trolling everyone else. Why? It would make no sense for Daniels to play along with Aiyuk’s social media games.

Regardless of whether Aiyuk and Daniels remain on the same page, it would appear the chances of him signing with Washington are no longer guaranteed. Of course, he still remains under contract with the 49ers, who are under no obligation to release him. If he shows up to training camp, which he says he’s not going to do, that could expedite his release.

ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler weighed in on Aiyuk’s actions, calling them “insensible.”

“He continues to nuke his job prospects at this point,” Fowler said on Sunday’s edition of Sportscenter, via Doric Sam of Bleacher Report. “I’ve talked to several teams about Brandon Aiyuk, trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Is there any sort of sound strategy he’s employing here? And they can’t think of anything other than this is just sort of insensible.”

Many Washington fans continue to laugh at Aiyuk’s antics, believing there’s nothing to be concerned about.

Fowler then weighed in on Aiyuk’s situation, from the 49ers’ perspective.

“Now, he obviously is trying to force the 49ers’ hand to cut him, but they haven’t done that; they haven’t tipped their hand,” he said. “He’s on the left squad list, so he doesn’t count against the 53-man roster. They simply don’t have to do anything right now.”

There appears to be no end in sight to Aiyuk’s continued videos. He went quiet for a few days last week, leaving some to wonder whether it was intentional and whether things were progressing toward a release. Then he turned things up with another video this weekend.

The Commanders open training camp in three weeks. 49ers’ veterans are scheduled to report on July 25. It will be interesting to see if Aiyuk does indeed show up. Don’t be surprised if there aren’t several more videos until then.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: NFL insider uses one word to describe Brandon Aiyuk’s actions