As his current quarterback prepares to face the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at Levi's Stadium, Brandon Aiyuk has enjoyed watching his former quarterback carve up the 49ers' next opponent on film.
In preparation for their Week 5 NFC West clash with Arizona, Aiyuk and San Francisco are studying film of the Cardinals' Week 4 matchup against the Washington Commanders, who are quarterbacked by rookie signal-caller Jayden Daniels -- Aiyuk's quarterback in 2019 at Arizona State.
Aiyuk was asked Wednesday what he thought of his close friend's performance against the same Cardinals defense he and the 49ers' offense will see Sunday.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Aiyuk is excited to see former college teammate Jayden Daniels having success in the NFL 🤝 pic.twitter.com/XGk5OcjgLy
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) October 2, 2024
"He's balling. We've been watching that tape against Arizona so far a couple times already today, so I'm sure we'll see it all week," Aiyuk said. "But excited to see him on tape playing good football."
Daniels completed 26 of 30 passes (86 percent) for 233 yards and one touchdown with one interception in Washington's commanding 42-14 win over Arizona and also carried the ball eight times for 47 yards and another TD.
Daniels has completed 87 of his 106 passes (82 percent) for 897 yards and three touchdowns with one interception in four starts this season, and run 46 times for 218 yards and four more TDs.
San Francisco 49ers
Aiyuk and Daniels have remained close friends over the years, and Aiyuk even welcomed the idea of a reunion with his college quarterback on the Commanders had his 49ers contract talks fallen through this offseason.
The 49ers ultimately got a deal with Aiyuk done, and now the star receiver must settle for watching Daniels from afar.