Adam Schefter has more bad news for Brandon Aiyuk amid latest Commanders reports

A recent report suggested that the Washington Commanders were more likely to acquire Stefon Diggs or a different wide receiver instead of current San Francisco 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk in July. 

As far as outsiders know, Aiyuk hasn't yet petitioned the NFL for reinstatement from the 49ers' reserve/left squad list. During Tuesday's edition of his podcast, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter shared what some around the league have said about Aiyuk's status ahead of training camps opening later in July. 

NFL teams not sure Brandon Aiyuk wants to play this coming season?

"I’ve heard a couple of times from talking to front office executives [and] they’re like, 'Does this guy even want to play?' And I can’t answer that," Schefter said about Aiyuk, per Eduardo Razo of Heavy. "Only Brandon Aiyuk can. But I can tell you that teams have raised that question because, why hasn’t he forced himself off that list? Why isn’t he looking more actively for a team? Why isn’t he gainfully employed right now? Where was he all last year, not showing up? Does he want to play? That’s a question teams have asked, and only Brandon Aiyuk himself can answer that."

Aiyuk hasn't played in an NFL game since he suffered a serious knee injury in October 2024, and the 49ers were later able to void the remaining guaranteed money attached to his contract because he didn't participate in rehab sessions related to that setback. More recently, he has raised eyebrows and sparked concerns among members of the football community due to curious comments he has made in videos shared via social media over the past few months. 

Brandon Aiyuk "did not help his case with the Washington Commanders" this offseason

Aiyuk and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels were teammates at Arizona State. While it was thought the two were close as of this past spring, they seemed to take shots at each other via social media earlier in July. 

"Everybody thought he was going to Washington," Schefter added about Aiyuk. "It was set up for him to go to Washington. And it certainly looks like he’s alienated Washington with his comments. We’ve got Jayden Daniels firing back on social media. Brandon Aiyuk did not help his case with the Washington Commanders. Aside from the fact that he’s still under contract to the 49ers, he’s on the reserve/did not report list. He would have to be reinstated [and] has to apply for reinstatement. He can apply to the NFL for reinstatement, and the 49ers would have to release him. They don’t want him around. If he showed up at the 49ers' complex, which he said he won’t do, they’d have to release him. But the 49ers hold his rights right now, and he is not allowed to sign with another team, if another team is even willing to sign him, until he’s released from that list."

It sounds like the Commanders and other teams have lost interest in taking a flier on Aiyuk this summer. As long as his rights are held by the 49ers, conversations about his future are seemingly little more than meaningless chatter.