San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk turning his attention to throwing shade at Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was his latest lapse in judgment. Just how much of this was trolling, and how much wasn't, remains to be seen. But for some fans, it was the final straw.
Some believe Aiyuk will still end up in Washington. A growing number now want the Commanders to turn their attention elsewhere for receiver help. And if general manager Adam Peters does go down this route, the 2023 second-team All-Pro will only have himself to blame.
It's a complete mess. Aiyuk could have stayed silent, but he's made things even worse for himself. And according to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, the wideout is well on his way to eviscerating any prospects of playing in the league again.
Jeremy Fowler confirms to Commanders what the league really thinks of Brandon Aiyuk
Citing conversations with people around the league, Fowler said there is widespread bemusement over Aiyuk's actions. People just don't believe he is making sensible decisions to get another shot once his release from the Niners becomes official.
And that's on him.
“He continues to nuke his job prospects at this point. 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.”
Aiyuk is a complex character; there is no getting away from that. He cannot seem to get out of his own way, and beefing with Daniels on Instagram — arguably the one ally who could have pushed for his wish to join the Commanders — just didn't make any sense at all.
It might be nothing, of course. But it does look as if the final bridge may have been burned.
The Commanders have not shown their hand, and they won't until Aiyuk is released. Some in the media still think this is nothing more than a set-up to take attention away from Aiyuk's previous posts directed at Washington, but there is just no telling for sure.
But either way, this would be a massive risk.
If Aiyuk is behaving like this now, how will he act if things aren't going his way? Alienating everyone close to him is certainly a choice. And that's without factoring in that he has not played a competitive down since Week 7 of the 2024 season.
Aiyuk and Daniels were, maybe still are, close. If this was just trolling, the Commanders are still in play. If there is any substance attached, the Arizona State product can kiss his chances of joining Washington goodbye.
There is just no telling where the truth lies at this point, but it's not looking especially promising.
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