Jayden Daniels and Brandon Aiyuk are close friends. That's not a secret, and it was no surprise that the wide receiver's name came up when the Washington Commanders concluded their first practice of organized team activities.
Aiyuk has been almost constantly linked to the Commanders since his relationship with the San Francisco 49ers soured. All contact has been cut off, and the bitterness is painfully obvious. However, he is still under contract, as the organization holds out for a draft pick in return.
That hasn't been forthcoming as yet. The Commanders are reportedly unwilling to send over a late-round selection to get Aiyuk into the building quicker. It's a frustrating impasse with no signs of a successful resolution. And it's not a great look for anybody.
Jayden Daniels didn't give much away when asked about Brandon Aiyuk at Commanders OTAs
Daniels didn't have much to say when asked about Aiyuk's return to the football field, potentially in Washington. If he did have any insight, he wasn't spilling the tea. And regarding the pass-catcher's future, that is out of his control.
"I don’t have a sense on it. That is my brother. We have a personal relationship, but his football future is out of my control."
It was the right answer and the most politically correct.
This is a powder keg situation that could go off at any moment. The Niners are reportedly unhappy with Daniels' supposed influence in all this, though Aiyuk is his own man. They know the wideout wants to join the Commanders, and the signal-caller feels the same. That's only made San Francisco more resolute, but general manager Adam Peters has not blinked.
Some have touted the upcoming June 1 date, which impacts how much dead money teams take on next season, as a potential tipping point. Don't be so sure. The Niners don't owe Aiyuk anything until his roster bonus is due just before Week 1. They could hold onto him for months if they wanted to.
Daniels probably knows what Aiyuk is thinking. He shut down the probe during his media availability pretty quickly, but the special bond they share leads people to draw their own conclusions. Peters knows the player, too, but he always puts the team first. And there are simply too many unknowns to give up draft capital.
If nobody else comes forward and Aiyuk is eventually released, it's a different story. The Commanders are reportedly receptive to the idea, largely because of Daniels. How much truth is in that? Who can say for sure, but the former LSU star was keen not to fan the flames too much with his response.
That was the smart call. Hopefully, that will be the end of the Aiyuk questions until his saga with the Niners eventually concludes.
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