Former Redskins GM has harsh warning for Commanders about Brandon Aiyuk

Brandon Aiyuk seems convinced that he’s destined to play for the Washington Commanders in 2026.

The only problem is he’s currently under contract with the San Francisco 49ers.

But the former All-Pro wideout keeps posting videos on Instagram hinting he’ll be joining the Commanders at some point in the near future.

Washington has expressed interest in signing Aiyuk to reunite him with former Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels, but former Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan (2015-2016) thinks that’s a bad idea.

In fact, during a recent appearance one “The Kevin Sheehan Show,” McCloughan warned the Commanders about why Aiyuk is bad news.

“When [San Francisco] drafted him, I said he is a No. 1 receiver talent-wise, but you be very, very careful with the character,” McCloughan said. “At Arizona State he got in trouble there too. Herm Edwards was the coach and he said ‘Listen, he’s a wildcard. We don’t know if he’s going to show up. We don’t know if he’s going to do anything or he might come and have the best day of his career.’

“… What he’s done to the 49ers is embarrassing. Embarrassing. What you’re getting in your building is going to be the same thing. There will be good days, but there’s going to be bad days.”

Aiyuk hasn’t played a down in the NFL since Oct. 20, 2024. He missed the final 10 games of that season and all of last season while recovering from a brutal ACL and MCL injury.

But he seemingly didn’t take his rehab as seriously as the 49ers wanted, which is why the team voided all of his contract guarantees in the middle of last season - a decision that all but ended the team’s relationship with the talented WR.

San Francisco has held onto Aiyuk in hopes of getting something back in return for him, but the disgruntled wideout hasn’t showed up to the team’s facility at all this offseason, and he’s taken multiple shots at them on Instagram likely in hopes it would incentivize the 49ers to release him.

While Aiyuk has made it clear he’s only interested in playing for the Commanders, some NFL insiders have speculated his recent social media rants and wild behavior may have actually scared Washington away from pursuing him.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published July 2, 2026 at 6:01 PM.