San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been battling the team for over a year now, since tearing his ACL and refusing to follow the team's rehab plan and eventally losing all of his guarantees in his extension.
While Aiyuk has been planning on returning to the league and suiting up for the Washington Commanders, but they seem to be going in another direction, as NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that Washington is signing Stefon Diggs. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the deal is worth up to $12 million.
Diggs, who spent the last year with the New England Patriots and found some success after tearing his ACL with the Houston Texans the year prior, can now slide in as Jayden Daniels' WR2 behind Terry McLaurin.
Aiyuk has made a show on
social media this offseason about his commitment to the Commanders, although there are questions about Washington's commitment to the disgruntled 49ers receiver. As recently as Tuesday Aiyuk posted a photo on his Instagram story of himself in Commanders hat.
The Diggs addition gives Daniels another high-end target to go alongside Terry McLaurin. Diggs presumably occupies the role Aiyuk would've played in Washington's receiving corps. With Diggs available and Aiyuk seemingly uninterested in taking the steps necessary that would force the 49ers to let him go, the Commanders acted.
With all of Aiyuk's antics on social media over the last few months, including taking shots at Daniels, and now the Diggs signing, it seems unlikely that the Commanders are willing to take a shot on Aiyuk if he ever does get out of his contract with the 49ers.
Perhaps Aiyuk is still in the cards for Washington should the 49ers release him. He would be a low-risk, low-reward signing who may start out as a disposable third WR for Washington. However, the Diggs signing would seem to put a damper on the chances for Aiyuk to eventually join his preferred team.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Commanders WR signing may be tough news for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk
