The Washington Commanders begin reporting to training camp next week, as rookies are due in Ashburn on July 24. The veterans follow a few days later on July 28, with the first day of practice on July 29.Will the Commanders make a free-agent move at wide receiver before July 29?AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTwo names have continuously been linked to the Commanders in recent months: Stefon Diggs and Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk remains under contract with the San Francisco 49ers. Meanwhile, Diggs is free to sign with any team.ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler gave some intel on both receivers on Monday, offering the following on Diggs:”I’m hearing he is going to have a market closer to training camp,” Fowler said. “I was told that at least five teams that need a receiver have been checking in. Now they gotta deal with some of the baggage and headlines; they are what they are. But here’s why Stefon Diggs, I’m told, is confident. He had 1,000-plus yards last year, really playing on a snap count of around 55% of the snaps coming off an ACL. He feels he’s going to be better this time around. I’m looking to the DMV; that’s where he’s from. The Commanders certainly need a receiver. I think they’re looking for more of a speed option at this point; we’ll see. There’s several veterans they could look at.”Fowler offered the following on Aiyuk: “I don’t think it’s going to be Brandon Aiyuk at this stage.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn Tuesday, another ESPN NFL insider, Adam Schefter, weighed in on Diggs and Aiyuk regarding the Commanders on his podcast.”We talked about Washington and Brandon Aiyuk, and most people thought Aiyuk would go there,” Schefter said. “And it may turn out to be that Brandon Aiyuk’s social media posts created an opening for Stefon Diggs, who played at Maryland, to go back to that area, take the spot that Brandon Aiyuk might’ve had.”Most of the offseason, analysts, fans, and almost everyone else assumed that Aiyuk would be Washington-bound once he secured his release from the 49ers. But his social media posts began last month and haven’t let up. He’s criticized 49ers GM John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan, among others. He’s even exchanged words with his good friend, Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFor months, the Commanders did nothing to shut down rumors of any potential interest in Aiyuk. It’s clear that over the past few days, that has changed. That doesn’t mean Washington will sign Diggs, but it’s clear that even if Aiyuk is released, his chances of landing there have gone way down, if not ended.This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Adam Schefter says Brandon Aiyuk may have helped Stefon Diggs
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