Dianna Russini from The Athletic caused a stir around the NFL with a bombshell report on San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. And if the story is accurate, the Washington Commanders will be on high alert.
The Commanders were linked with a trade for Aiyuk in 2024, but nothing materialized. He signed a new lucrative contract to stay in San Francisco instead, but to say things are not going according to plan would be a massive understatement.
Russini's report revealed that Aiyuk is skipping meetings, and his relationship with those in power has soured to the level that San Francisco voided his guaranteed money for 2026. This wasn't disputed by the wideout, fueling rumors of a potential breakup during the offseason.
Commanders could reunite Jayden Daniels with Brandon Aiyuk this offseason
And considering his teammates have supposedly been unsuccessful in their attempts to get him back onside, Aiyuk and the Niners could very well go their separate ways when the time comes.
"It was expected that [Brandon] Aiyuk could return for the latter part of this season, but he has remained on the PUP list. His presence at the team’s training facility has become scarce; sources say Aiyuk typically works out early in the morning and departs before other 49ers players arrive. Numerous members of the organization — including some 49ers players — have reached out to Aiyuk in recent weeks in an unsuccessful attempt to bring him back into the fold, one source said."
Dianna Russini
Adam Peters knows Aiyuk extremely well. So does quarterback Jayden Daniels, his old college teammate at Arizona State and close friend to this day. The stars seem to be aligning for a potential switch to Washington, and this represents a can't-miss opportunity to reunite the signal-caller with one of his most trusted targets.
Pairing Aiyuk with second-team All-Pro wideout Terry McLaurin represents a mouth-watering proposition if he gets a better run of luck on the health front. The money has to work, and there is also the small matter of Deebo Samurl Sr. potentially getting an extension. But if Peters had to choose between the ex-Niners teammates, going with the younger option, who already has chemistry with Daniels, would be the wise course of action.
Nothing has been confirmed yet. The Niners could explore trade opportunities, but they might not be too forthcoming if teams know he's going to be cut. If San Francisco does release Aiyuk, he'll have a queue of suitors. However, linking back up with Daniels could be right at the top of his preferences when it's all said and done.
Watch this space, I guess...