San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk might have been the most talked-about player of the Washington Commanders' offseason last summer, and he's not even on the team.
As he re-enters the spotlight, Aiyuk will need to stay there.
Aiyuk is applying for reinstatement by the NFL following an ugly dispute with his current organization that led to him being placed on the Niners' reserve/left squad list. He plans to report to San Francisco's facility on Friday, but it's unclear if he's willing to play for the team or if the team wants him back.
Brandon Aiyuk burned his bridge with the Commanders without ever playing a snap
And if he's not, he can be somebody else's problem besides Washington's.
At one point last spring, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Aiyuk would be a Commanders player in 2026.
He wanted to play with Jayden Daniels, his former college quarterback at Arizona State. Adam Peters, the general manager who helped draft him, also seemed interested, according to media reports.
But the Niners held things up, and Aiyuk dug himself into a hole with a series of dramatic Instagram videos trashing his employers. Eventually, even Daniels and his mother caught a few strays, and the third-year passer smartly distanced himself from the situation.
It's unclear whether that relationship has been mended. But even so, for Washington, there's no coming back from Aiyuk's behavior over the summer.
Aiyuk gave Peters and company no reason to want anything to do with him. With the Commanders at 2-4-1, this team doesn't need any distractions.
Commanders don't need to go down the Brandon Aiyuk rabbit hole again
Washington moved forward without Aiyuk. And they were right.
The team drafted Antonio Williams in the third round, who is already emerging as a promising complementary piece with the potential to be something more. Stefon Diggs was signed late in the offseason and has been the veteran presence the Commanders were looking for.
Even Treylon Burks is having himself a solid career resurgence in the burgundy and gold. The Commanders have options, and it's not worth the risk of bringing in an unpredictable prima donna who could disrupt their chemistry.
Washington has a division title to chase and a passing game that's clicking, even with second-team All-Pro wideout Terry McLaurin out for the year. The offensive backfield could certainly use some help, but Aiyuk's services aren't required.
Aiyuk had his chance to join the Commanders if he'd handled his situation with more maturity this past offseason. But he didn't, and what's done is done.
The Commanders shouldn't open this can of worms again.
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