Depending on how the rest of training camp and the preseason go, the Washington Commanders could be desperate for a wide receiver addition. The question is, will they be so desperate to take a chance on Brandon Aiyuk if he becomes available.
Throughout the summer, the answer to that question was overwhelmingly yes. ESPN’s John Keim confirmed that thought again Monday morning.
But on August 3, Washington’s interest in Aiyuk appears to be as low as it’s ever been.
“Now? The phrase you’ll hear is “never say never,” but there’s been a definite cooling of the Commanders’ interest after Aiyuk’s Instagram postings over the past month, including some about Daniels,” wrote Keim.
“As Peters said last week — speaking about no one in particular — he ‘usually’ doesn’t factor a player’s social media posts when deciding whether to acquire him. Then Peters punctuated it with another ‘usually.'”
Aiyuk made headlines throughout the summer with social media posts on a variety of subjects. In some posts, Aiyuk voiced wanting to play for the Commanders. More notably, though, he has also complained about his current team, — the San Francisco 49ers — the NFL and NFLPA.
Aiyuk hasn’t played since tearing an ACL and MCL during Week 7 of the 2024 season. He began the 2025 campaign on the PUP list. The year went sour when the 49ers voided the guaranteed money in his contract for 2026 because of his lack of participation.
Commanders Interest in Brandon Aiyuk ‘Cooling’
GettyESPN’s John Keim reported the Washington Commanders interest in wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has definitely cooled.
Keim’s report that the Commanders aren’t jumping up and down to get Aiyuk isn’t shocking. The Athletic’s Matt Barrows and Nicki Jhabvala reported on July 27 that the Commanders were all but out of the potential Aiyuk sweepstakes.
Keim didn’t go that far Monday. But clearly, the team’s level of interest isn’t what it was a few months ago.
Whether or not the Commanders ultimately pursue Aiyuk could completely depend on how the team feels about its current receivers. There’s also another factor.
Other Potential Free Agent WR Targets for Commanders
GettyNFL pundits have speculated the Washington Commanders could sign veteran wideout Keenan Allen.
The other factor in whether the Commanders pursue an available Aiyuk is if the team adds another wideout in free agency.
“If that does happen, it would likely be Stefon Diggs. He would provide what Washington lacks: a proven veteran opposite Terry McLaurin,” wrote Keim.
“But if Aiyuk comes free and the Commanders consider signing him, they would have to be convinced those posts were merely an indication of his frustration and not about any deeper issues.”
Along with Aiyuk, Stefon Diggs has been a popular receiver mentioned in rumors involving the Commanders this offseason. But there are other veteran wideouts on the free market as well, most notably Keenan Allen.
On Friday, NFL.com’s Grant Gordon included the Commanders on a list of potential destinations for Allen. The 34-year-old posted 81 receptions, 777 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 17 games for the Los Angeles Chargers last season.
Allen isn’t the outside big-play threat that Washington desperately needs. But he’s more reliable than most other wideouts on the Commanders roster.
Perhaps Terry McLaurin could get more chances down the field with Allen underneath.
Clearly, the Commanders prefer not to have to resort to pursuing Aiyuk. But according to Keim, it’s not out of the realm of possibility depending on other factors.
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