Brandon Aiyuk takes Instagram swipe at Jayden Daniels

Field Level Media|published: Sun 5th July, 16:12 2026

Jul 24, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (in black hoodie) watches his teammates work out during the second day of training camp. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

It doesn't look like Brandon Aiyuk will be a Washington Commander after all.

After numerous social media posts in which he said he's planning to join the Commanders, Aiyuk suddenly took public jabs at Washington's franchise quarterback, Jayden Daniels.

In an Instagram story where he tagged Daniels' account, Aiyuk said, "‘5' gonna text me talking about some, ‘You're on my team now. You follow my rules.'

"Boy, I'm a grown-ass man, boy. You gonna have to start running behind your mamma, and I might believe what you talking about. But until then, mmm-mmm."

Aiyuk is still a member of the San Francisco 49ers, but he's on the team's reserve/did not report list. He's also taken swipes at Niners general manager John Lynch and his former agent, Ryan Williams, calling them "weirdos". Additionally, Lynch said in January that Aiyuk has played his last snap as a part of the team.

Daniels, Aiyuk's former teammate at Arizona State, seemingly responded to the wideout with an Instagram story of Houston Rockets forward and Commanders fan Kevin Durant giving a thumbs-down to a fan earlier this year.

Aiyuk then posted a GIF of him holding up a pair of shoes with the message: "Let's Run it 5! Let's see! Need you available all son, and I'll do the same!"

The back-and-forth was preceded by a viral video of a fan during a World Cup match shouting at Daniels, "F--- Brandon Aiyuk! ... You better not throw s--- to him next year." Daniels laughed in response.

The Athletic previously reported that the Commanders would consider a short-term deal with high incentives if Aiyuk became available, with the hopes he could rediscover his form from years ago. It's not known if the team's stance has changed after Aiyuk's string of social media posts.

The 28-year-old missed all of last season due to a severe knee injury he suffered in 2024, when he posted just 25 receptions for 374 yards over seven games. However, he posted a career-high 1,342 receiving yards in 2023, and a career-high 78 catches in 2022.

--Field Level Media

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