Brandon Aiyuk – Just Say No
June 12, 2026
by Steve Thomas
Look, I get it, Brandon Aiyuk can play football at a high level, Jayden Daniels is his BFF, and he seems to want to come to Washington. But . . . no. Just no. Hear me out.
Aiyuk, who is 6’0” and 200 pounds, was a 2020 first round pick out of Arizona St. by the San Francisco 49ers. He ran the 40 yard dash in 4.5 seconds at the 2020 NFL Combine. Aiyuk hasn’t played since week 7 of the 2024 season. He tore his ACL and MCL in week 7, and missed the remainder of 2024 and all of last season while recovering. However, from 2020 to 2024 Aiyuk played in a total of 69 games, starting 67, and made 294 receptions in 446 targets, for a 65.9% catch percentage, 4305 yards, 14.6 yards per reception, and 25 touchdowns. In the last season in which he played, 2024, he played and started in 7 games before his knee injury. During those 7 games, he made 25 receptions in 47 targets, for a 53.4% catch percentage, 374 yards, 15.0 yards per reception, but no touchdowns. In his last full season, 2023, he played and started 16 games, and made 75 receptions in 105 targets, for a 71.4% catch percentage, 1342 yards, 17.9 yards per reception, and 7 touchdowns.
Now, rumor has it that the 49ers want to get rid of Aiyuk but are waiting to find a trade partner for him instead of releasing him.
So, yes, when properly motivated, there’s no denying that Aiyuk can play. I’m not necessarily sold on the idea that he can be a #1 receiver, but at his best, he’d be a great complement to Terry McLaurin. Also, despite the fact that Washington has made moves in its wide receiver group, there isn’t one specific player – outside of tight end Chigozeim Okonkwo – who is elite enough to scare opposing defenses, at least not at the moment. What’s the problem, then? Why don’t I want Aiyuk in Washington?
This isn’t about his injury recovery, although that’s important. First, the guy has a bad attitude. He was a high performer when he was happy in San Francisco, but has been essentially boycotting the team since last season because he’s unhappy, going so far as to ask the NFLPA to not represent him when the 49ers voided his guarantee. Basically, he’s been AWOL from his team for most of a year. He’s also made many different cryptic posts on social media implying his unhappiness. Those aren’t signs of a player who is good for a franchise.
And now, a little more than a week ago, Aiyuk had a warrant issued against him in the state of California after he posted a video on his social media channels (look it up – I’m not going to link it here) showing him driving at speeds of up to 104 miles per hour on public roads around Levi’s Stadium in the San Francisco Bay area, the home of the 49ers. He has been charged with improper exhibition of speed, which is a misdemeanor in California, and presumably he’ll also be charged with a traffic violation for the underlying speed violation as well. As a practicing attorney (not in the state of California), including a bit of criminal law, I’m well aware that this isn’t the worst crime in the world, even by recent NFL athlete standards. I have no doubt that Aiyuk will plead that case out one way or the other, and it will go away, likely via some sort of driver education class. He isn’t going to be unavailable in 2026 as a result of this alleged violation.
The point is, though, is that it demonstrates immaturity and a poor attitude, again. Also, he also very recently posted unnecessary and somewhat incomprehensible videos on social media complaining about the 49ers. While he could come to DC and be perfectly happy with his bestie Jayden for awhile, what happens when things inevitably go south for awhile? Let me answer that for you: Aiyuk’s immaturity and attitude problems will surface again, and he’ll become an issue in the locker room. Why should Washington deal with that?
The bottom line is that I don’t believe Brandon Aiyuk will be good for Washington in the long run, and, as I said on The Hog Sty Podcast a week ago, I’m done rooting for idiots. So, please, Washington, just let it go and don’t bring this player to DC.
What do you think? Do you disagree? Let me know in the comment section.