Brandon Aiyuk seems to send strong message about future amid Commanders rumors

Current San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk previously teased during the spring that he could join the Washington Commanders at some point before the 2026 NFL season gets underway. 

As David Bonilla shared for 49ers WebZone, Aiyuk seemed to offer a new hint about his future via his latest Instagram video. 

Brandon Aiyuk sends new message to and/or about Commanders?

"I had a great Father's Day," Aiyuk said. "And before I lay down and go to bed tonight, I just want to say go Commanders! Go Commanders, man. Go Commanders. Raise hail. Take command!" 

Aiyuk hasn't played in a meaningful game since he suffered a serious knee injury in October 2024. The 49ers later voided the remaining guaranteed money attached to the four-year, $120M extension he signed in the summer of 2024 after he didn't participate in rehab sessions related to his setback.

By all indications, Aiyuk will never again feature in a game for the 49ers. A report revealed that "multiple league sources" said that "there is every expectation now that [Aiyuk] will be released before the start of training camp" in late July. 

Commanders general manager Adam Peters was working for the 49ers when San Francisco drafted Aiyuk in 2020. Additionally, Aiyuk and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels were teammates at Arizona State and are believed to still be close. 

Why 49ers may have to make Brandon Aiyuk move sooner rather than later

As of the early days of the NFL's ongoing summer break, there was no sign that the 49ers planned to cut Aiyuk anytime soon. However, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk and other insiders seem to think that the 49ers will have to make an expected transaction official before preseason games start up later this summer. 

"The 49ers have been squatting on Aiutk’s rights, with the goal of engineering a trade," Florio explained on Sunday night. "If Aiyuk shows up when training camp opens, the only move may be to cut him. If he practices with the 49ers, a season-ending injury would put the team on the hook for more than $26M. As it currently stands, the 49ers owe him nothing."  

Every day Aiyuk isn't with the Commanders leaves the door open for the team to possibly acquire a different option, such as free-agent receiver Stefon Diggs. Then again, perhaps Aiyuk knows that he will be a Washington player before training camps open.