Brandon Aiyuk may have burned Washington bridges, Stefon Diggs can be Jayden Daniels’ perfect welcome back

Brandon Aiyuk wants to be a Washington Commander – but a better option may be emerging.

Aiyuk, as it stands, remains on the reserve/left squad list of the San Francisco 49ers after they opened training camp.

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According to The Athletic, Aiyuk wrote a text message on Friday which read, “AP [Adam Peters] and DQ [Dan Quinn] quietly put together a SQUAD! I’m the final piece that will swing all the odds in our favor #GOCOMMANDERS #RAISEHAIL.”

Despite still being under contract with the Niners after having signed a four-year, $120 million deal back in 2024, it is very unlikely that Aiyuk will ever return to the team,.

Over 600 days since he played his last game, he is stuck in purgatory until the 49ers decide to release him, and that likely won’t happen until the 28-year-old files a petition with the NFL for reinstatement, and they grant it.

Only then would San Francisco be forced into the decision of either letting him practice or cut him from the team entirely.

Should he become a free agent, then there is no guarantee that the Commanders would even be interested in acquiring his services.

From endless social media posts referencing the Commanders, including wearing the team’s cap, to videos of him ranting about the 49ers front office, his behavior has been extremely questionable of late.

Furthermore, after having been close friends with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, that looks to have soured beyond repair after Aiyuk was trash-talking Daniels’ relationship with his mom – and agent – Regina Jackson.

The two have since unfollowed each other off of social media.

Despite Aiyuk still remaining confident he will get his desired move, even splashing $10 million on a house in Virginia, Daniels may yet even have a say in the organization’s final decision about whether to bring him in.

Diggs could be a better option

The Commanders would be wise to bolster their depth at the wide receiver position behind Terry McLaurin, Luke McCaffrey and Antonio Williams.

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Should they ultimately decide not to move forward with bringing in Aiyuk, then pivoting to veteran free agent Stefon Diggs could be a huge boost.

In 2025 with the New England Patriots, Diggs had 99 receptions for 1,123 receiving yards and five touchdowns in the regular season and playoffs combined as the Patriots reached Super Bowl LX.

Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the 32-year-old has at least five teams interested in him, while he finds the possibility of joining Washington “intriguing.”

“I’m told that at least five teams that need a receiver have been checking in on his market, and seeing how things are going as he works out on his own,” Fowler said on Sunday.

“I am told Diggs is highly motivated here because he’s not rehabbing an ACL like he was last year. He only participated in about 55 percent of the snaps in New England.

“He feels like he can be a really good No. 2 receiver for a top quarterback. Washington is intriguing to him because Jayden Daniels, a young quarterback, is from that DMV area.

“The rumors around the league are that Washington could add a receiver at some point.”

However, it is unclear whether the Commanders are interested in pursuing Diggs to fill that role specifically.