I legit had an opinion piece in the hopper about why the Commanders should ignore all the social media nonsense and sign receiver Brandon Aiyuk when the 49ers release him.
This morning, I hit delete.
I think we’re done here.
Overpay for Stefon Diggs. Maybe $10-15 million for one year. It’s okay. The Commanders can afford it from a cap perspective. They need another receiver. Even the Treylon Burks truthers must agree with that.
For those who truly enjoyed their Fourth of July – a sacred holiday for those who cover
the NFL, because the life interrupts ever other one – then you missed some fireworks.
It sure seems like Aiyuk came after Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, his good friend and former Arizona State teammate, presumptively pretty hard in his latest social media post.
Daniels seemed to respond between the second and third IG story segments in the video above.
For one, there’s nothing I despise more than parsing through social media posts and whether individuals followed or unfollowed each other. This is silly, and a waste of a holiday weekend. But here we are, because a receiver who is contractually bound to another team can’t stop posting pictures of himself in burgundy and gold.
Look. There’s no doubt that Aiyuk is a talented individual. I mean, look at the 2023 stats: 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. That’s second-team All-Pro stuff. It’s also an enticing Terry McLaurin pairing.
Here’s the catch: He has barely played since then. The point of this story is not to delve into all the 49ers drama that has happened since then.
This is a Commanders website. Their fans are who I represent.
Maybe their trolling each other and everything is somehow fine and they’re both laughing at all this. No matter.
I’m now on the buyer-beware front. I would take a hard pass on Aiyuk, no matter what he might bring to a team. Yep, that’s even on a low-cost, incentive-laden deal. And I wouldn’t have buyer’s remorse if he blows up and returns to form on another team.
He’s simply not for Washington. He’s not what this team needs.
In my previous column, the one I had totally written and ready to post, I said the Commanders locker room culture could handle Aiyuk because Daniels was the Alpha and could control him somewhat and that there were enough vets to help Aiyuk be a team player.
I don’t feel the same way anymore. Now it’s an unnecessary risk, especially with Diggs as a DMV native and available. Just sign the guy. I’m not saying that Diggs isn’t without baggage, but pay that premium.
Or, if Adam Peters doesn’t want to and is content with what Washington’s got at receiver, then that’s fine, too.
I’m always a person who believes in talent over effort or attitude. My wife doesn’t agree. I can’t tell you how much we squabble over that (mostly in reference to travel baseball). In this case, she’s right. I don’t think the Commanders need the drama. Hard pass.
What do you think the Commanders should do regarding Brandon Aiyuk? Let us know in the comments below.
