The NFL news of the day on Monday featured Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. No, Daniels didn’t do anything to make the news. Instead, he was on the receiving end of a call from his good friend: San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
On the call, Aiyuk told Daniels, “They said they don’t want me back.”
One would assume Aiyuk meant the 49ers. Aiyuk is entering the fifth-year option on his rookie deal in 2024 and has made it clear he wants a new contract and to be paid among the NFL’s best wide receivers. San Francisco has said publicly that it wants to get a deal done. However, no agreement has been reached, and it doesn’t seem like the two sides are close.
Aiyuk and Daniels are close, which led to the speculation: What about the Commanders trading for Aiyuk? General manager Adam Peters was in San Francisco for the first four years of Aiyuk’s career and played a significant role in the Niners selecting him.
Many Washington fans are for the move, but some are not. We went to X to see some of the best reactions.
Good detective work here
In May, #49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk liked this post of the #Commanders new-look offense with the caption:
“Just wait til @brandonaiyuk td” 👀
(H/T:@SwaggyC256) pic.twitter.com/6snVMyHGmc
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) June 18, 2024
Of course Robert Griffin III weighs in
Brandon Aiyuk to the Washington Commanders to play with his best friend Jayden Daniels would hit like RAY LEWIS IN HIS PRIME.
“They say they don’t want me back.”
Via Brandon Aiyuk’s TikTok pic.twitter.com/cboVS7k76o
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 17, 2024
Daniel Jeremiah has another destination in mind
If Brandon Aiyuk is truly available via trade (don’t know) I could make a strong argument Pittsburgh would be a perfect match.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) June 17, 2024
Maiocco has covered the 49ers for years
Matt Maiocco on the Brandon Aiyuk TikTok video:
“I would be absolutely shocked if the #49ers actually told Brandon Aiyuk, they don’t want him back. If the 49ers didn’t want him, he would have already been gone.”
via: @KNBR pic.twitter.com/7yKe13qfdG
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) June 17, 2024
Someone always trying to be funny
I've heard from extremely reliable sources that Brock Purdy prefers fellow alpha male Ricky Pearsall over Brandon Aiyuk.
This stems from Aiyuk's continued absence at Purdy's weekly Bible study.
If you're not right with God, you're not going to be right with Brock Purdy. pic.twitter.com/ASV2OKLj1f
— Nick Adams (Alpha Male) (@NickAdamsinUSA) June 17, 2024
Schefter weighs in
"I think his desire to get paid is greater than his desire to stay in San Francisco" – Adam Schefter
Will Brandon Aiyuk play for the 49ers this season? pic.twitter.com/96AhcC9mAU
— Sharp Football Analysis (@SharpFBAnalysis) April 16, 2024
Relax, Terry will be fine
Terry McLaurin fantasy managers calmly reading about the Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors. pic.twitter.com/pYjbTViDwC
— TheOGfantasyfootball (@TheOGfantasy) June 17, 2024
It’s doubtful Peters trades multiple picks, but there’s this….
Terry McLaurin x Jahan Dotson x BRANDON AIYUK 🤯
Jayden Daniels and Aiyuk played together in college, should the Commanders and 49ers make this trade to reunite them? 🤔#RaiseHail | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/tAv2A19s5d
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) June 17, 2024
Allen isn’t going anywhere
Trade for Aiyuk for a 2nd and a 4th and give him $28 mill a year.
Trade Jon Allen during the season for a 2nd and 4th to recoup what you traded.
Let’s have some fun! #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/iZbeF6iJXc
— #JaydenDaniels🐐 (@DMVCommanders) June 17, 2024
This sound like the most reasonable outcome
People are going to be baited into this just like they were with all the Deebo stuff. It’ll still end with Brandon Aiyuk signing a massive contract with the San Francisco 49ers pic.twitter.com/8xQKdDEOnD
— Evan Sowards (@EvanSowards) June 17, 2024
Imagine social media when Purdy gets paid……
Brandon Aiyuk trade is imminent.
49ers are going to have to pay Purdy $60M+ a year.
Rams will be without Aaron Donald this season. (We have our own in 91)
The Cardinals are well, the Cardinals 🤭
Meanwhile the #Seahawks: pic.twitter.com/z5JaHA9n45
— le spoon (@FDT4EVUR) June 17, 2024
Another vote for the Commanders acquiring
The Eagles dropped big money on both receivers and they turned out fine. There are so many ways to build a competitive roster. The key is continuing to kill it in the draft. Go get Aiyuk.
— Chief (@Chief_0324) June 17, 2024
It’s hard to see the Niners trading to the team they faced in the NFC title game
I know Aiyuk to the Commanders is the hot speculative trade, but what about this:
Aiyuk to Detroit for Jameson Williams + a pick.
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) June 18, 2024
Ochocinco is in favor of Commanders making the trade
Commanders have the cap space, adding Aiyuk with McLaurin & Dotson would be insanely exciting & Jayden will give a push for rookie year similar to that of Stroud. https://t.co/E06gGW8vK2
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) June 17, 2024
Due diligence should always be done on any potential acquisition
Due diligence must be performed in trading for Aiyuk.
Go get him#raisehail
— Bleeding Burgundy in The Bunker (@Jessys24) June 17, 2024
Most logical answer here
Next year’s draft is supposedly one of the deepest in years. I don’t want to pivot from draft and develop. Draft a good pass catcher that you control financially for five years. https://t.co/QEvIOoNKlW
— Marshall (@MarshW_7) June 17, 2024