Brandon Aiyuk wishes Commanders luck amid 49ers standoff

Brandon Aiyuk wished the Washington Commanders "great luck" in an Instagram story Wednesday while still under contract with the San Francisco 49ers. The wide receiver did not report for training camp, remains on the reserve/left squad list, and has publicly pushed for a release amid a prolonged contract and rehab dispute.

Key Takeaways

• Brandon Aiyuk posted an Instagram story wishing the Commanders "great luck" amid his 49ers standoff.
• He last played in 2024 before a season-ending knee injury and is signed through 2028.
• The 49ers prefer a trade over a release; Aiyuk has not requested reinstatement from reserve/left squad.
• Commanders GM Adam Peters said social media is reviewed but is not usually a huge factor.
• Reporting suggests Aiyuk's posts may have complicated any path to Washington.

What did Brandon Aiyuk post about the Commanders?

According to Bleacher Report, Aiyuk shared a story Wednesday wishing Washington "great luck." The message fits a summer of social posts urging San Francisco to cut him and signaling interest in the Commanders.

He has also tagged the NFL and NFLPA on Instagram, asking for intervention and a way out of his deal. The 49ers opened camp without him on the field, even as he remains under team control.

Those posts have included criticism of San Francisco leadership and a clear preference to join Washington, where he has ties to quarterback Jayden Daniels from college and to GM Adam Peters from Peters' prior 49ers personnel role.

Why is Brandon Aiyuk still with the 49ers?

Aiyuk is still signed through the 2028 season. Last summer, San Francisco voided his guaranteed money for 2026 after a dispute over his rehab process following the October 2024 knee injury that ended his campaign.

The Athletic reported he sits on the reserve/left squad list, which keeps his rights without counting against the 90-man roster or salary cap. To leave that list, he must request reinstatement via a letter to the league, copying the 49ers. He has not done so yet.

General manager John Lynch said in January that Aiyuk would likely never play another snap for San Francisco. Lynch deflected camp questions by saying the team would focus on players who are present. The club has made clear it would rather trade than release him, and it has not found a trade partner.

Timing matters: if Aiyuk waits past the Nov. 10 trade deadline, the 49ers can refuse a reinstatement request. No player can be reinstated after his club's Week 13 game, Dec. 6 for San Francisco.

Could the Commanders still pursue Brandon Aiyuk?

Commanders GM Adam Peters, asked in general about social media when evaluating players, said the team looks at everything for culture fit but that it is "not usually a huge part of it, usually." Coach Dan Quinn praised the roundabout question from JP Finlay of NBC 4.

Earlier reporting said Washington would not trade for Aiyuk and might only consider a short-term, highly incentivized deal if he were cut and fully healthy. The Athletic later noted his posts have seemed to jeopardize hopes of returning to an active roster, including Washington's.

Per NBC Sports, none of that matters until Aiyuk applies for reinstatement from reserve/left squad to the 90-man roster. Until then, he remains a 49er in limbo with no clear plan to return next season.

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