Brandon Aiyuk has made his desire to play for the Washington Commanders abundantly clear. He’s posted enough pointed messages on social media — cryptic Commanders-colored imagery, pointed captions, and not-so-subtle hints — that his intentions are about as subtle as a block in the back.
The problem is that all that posting may be working against him, and there’s a critical step he hasn’t even taken yet.
Aiyuk remains on the San Francisco 49ers’ reserve/left squad list, and before he can do anything, he first has to apply for reinstatement. Once reinstated, he can show up and put the 49ers in a difficult position that could lead to a release or a trade.
However, that filing hasn’t happened yet, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
In the meantime, Fowler says the market for Aiyuk isn’t exactly heating up.
“I’m told the 49ers haven’t given any sort of firm indication to him whether he’s going to be cut, traded, or whatever,” Fowler said. “Teams I talked to say that he is essentially untradeable right now.”
This is effectively the status quo around Aiyuk this offseason. The 49ers have no plans to move him until they either have to or think they can get compensation back, while no team appears interesting in paying anything for the receiver.
“Clearly, he wants to go to Washington,” Fowler said. “Washington’s not planning to sign a receiver right now, maybe closer to training camp they revisit it. But the outlook is not great for him right now.”
Fowler added that some around the league believe Aiyuk could be forced to sign a veteran minimum deal given how the situation has unfolded — a sobering reality for a receiver who was considered one of the better wideouts in the NFC just two seasons ago when he signed his massive four-year, $120 million contract in 2024.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Why Brandon Aiyuk is ‘lighting money on fire’ with social media posts
Reporting by Oliver G., Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Oliver G., Niners Wire | USA TODAY Network
