On Tuesday, it was another day on the Brandon Aiyuk watch.
The San Francisco 49ers star has been at odds with the 49ers on a new contract that he believes should make him one of the NFL’s highest-paid wide receivers. Aiyuk recently told Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels that the 49ers told him they didn’t want him.
Daniels and Aiyuk are close from their time together at Arizona State. Daniels called Aiyuk his “dream teammate” earlier this offseason, and there has been speculation since the draft about Washington and San Francisco working on a potential trade that would reunite the two.
Most believed it was a fantasy talk or good fodder for social media during a quiet time on the NFL calendar, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday that the two sides did have talks, but the Commanders chose not to make the deal.
“There were some conversations at one point between the 49ers and Commanders,” Schefter said. “Commanders were interested, but they decided not to do that deal.”
Now, Aiyuk has responded via social media.
Brandon Aiyuk recently commented this on an Instagram post that suggested the 49ers and the Commanders discussed a trade before the 2024 NFL Draft, which Washington ultimately opted out of.
(via jpafootball/IG) pic.twitter.com/pVAacRJQ5Y
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 25, 2024
While Aiyuk said the 49ers didn’t want him, all indications they desperately want to lock him up to a long-term deal.
This talk will likely not go away until San Francisco agrees to a new deal with Aiyuk.