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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s apparent attempt to be traded to the Washington Commanders this offseason may have come to a screeching halt.
Aiyuk posted a video on his social media on Saturday, targeting Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. He apparently called Daniels “5” – the star’s jersey number.
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) celebrates after a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 16, 2022. (Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports)
“‘5’ will text me about it, ‘You’re on my team now. You follow my rules.’ Boy, I’m a grown man, boy,” Aiyuk said. “You’re going to have to start running after your mom and I might believe what you’re talking about. But until then, (No).”
He tagged Daniels specifically in a separate post, which read: “Tf, always so funny little nigga. Turn up your wild.”
In a third message, Aiyuk was apparently interested in joining Daniels again in the Commanders.
“Let’s run it 5! Let’s see! I need you to be available every szn and I will do the same,” the message read.
The 49ers were looking for a trade partner for Aiyuk, who signed a four-year extension worth $120 million with the 49ers in August 2024. But it probably doesn’t help that general manager John Lynch not only said Aiyuk was done, but that these public displays of displeasure from Aiyuk don’t portray him in the best light despite his talent.
Aiyuk summoned Commanders multiple times, apparently trying to reach his Arizona State teammate in Daniels.
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) celebrates with general manager John Lynch after the NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams on September 17, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Aiyuk began expressing his frustration with San Francisco earlier this month, including in videos in which he called the 49ers “stupid” and “stupid” for granting him his extension. He also claims the team is afraid to release him because of his performance elsewhere in the league.
The rift between Aiyuk and the 49ers has lasted for almost a year now after the team forfeited the remainder of the guaranteed money he was owed for his extension. The 49ers did so after Aiyuk failed to participate in rehab sessions for a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus he suffered in his right knee during the 2024 season.
Then the 49ers placed Aiyuk on the reserve/left team roster in December after he stopped reporting to the team’s facilities.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, right, can’t catch a pass against New York Jets cornerback Michael Carter II in the end zone during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
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Before getting injured in 2024, Aiyuk had 24 catches for 374 yards during that season. He broke out with 1,342 yards on 75 receptions and seven touchdowns during the 2023 season for the 49ers, helping them reach the Super Bowl.
