​With each passing day, it seems increasingly unlikely that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will land with the Washington Commanders, at least in 2026. Washington has long been Aiyuk’s favored destination once his release from San Francisco became official, but he has yet to file for reinstatement and has stated he will not report to the team for training camp. That leaves the 49ers under no obligation to release him, at least for now.
Whether or not Aiyuk is part of the equation, the Commanders could still use another veteran starting receiver opposite Terry McLaurin. Deebo Samuel remains a possibility, as does Tyreek Hill, though Hill’s name isn’t as closely tied to Washington as another veteran who has become the focal point of ongoing chatter: Stefon Diggs. The four-time Pro Bowler, a native of the DMV, has repeatedly signaled his desire to return to the region and play for his hometown team.
Earlier in the offseason, Diggs posted a message to all NFL teams on Instagram that caught the eye of Commanders edge rusher Charles Omenihu, who commented “Burgundy & gold.” Diggs’s recruiting intrigue didn’t stop there. When he shared a workout video on Instagram, another Washington newcomer, linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson, left a similar reply, and Diggs himself interacted with it. It’s notable that Diggs and Chaisson were teammates with the New England Patriots last season, a detail that adds an extra layer to the recruitment narrative.
Unlike Aiyuk, Diggs is currently free to sign. With training camp set to begin in less than three weeks and rookies due to report in under two weeks, the timing becomes a critical factor. Washington general manager Adam Peters could choose to evaluate his current receiving corps before pursuing a veteran addition, but delaying could risk Diggs slipping away once the market moves closer to camp.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire, discussing how a Commanders defender has begun recruiting Diggs, potentially improving the team’s receiving corps through an off-season pursuit aimed at bolstering the passing attack.