Brandon Aiyuk Draft
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Brandon Aiyuk was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Washington Commanders have beenrumored to be interestedin San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk for a couple of seasons now. The relationship has soured between the 28-year-old former first-round pick and the team that drafted him. Despite Aiyuk being reportedly healthy after recovering from a torn ACL and MCL he suffered during the 2024 season, he didn’t play a single snap during the 49ers’ 2025 campaign. While nothing has been confirmed on Aiyuk’s true reasoning for deciding to sit out all of last year despite receiving a four-year, $120 million extension in the prior offseason, ultimately, the 49ers accepted that they have to move on.
Brandon Aiyuk College
GettyBrandon Aiyuk recorded 65 catches for 1,192 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2019 with Jayden Daniels at Arizona State University.
49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters in January that hedoesn’t expect Aiyuk to be on the team next year. “I think it’s safe to say that he’s played his last snap with the Niners,”Lynch stated. “It’s unfortunate. A situation that just went awry.”
Despite Lynch making those statements nearly three months ago, there has been no movement on Aiyuk. As of April 7th, he is still a member of the 49ers. This is because they are reportedly standing firm on trading him, instead of outright releasing him. Unfortunately for the 49ers, they may be looking at a downward-trending price tag.
Commanders Could Land 49ers’ Wide Receiver For a Lower Price Than Expected
Brandon Aiuyk Injury
GettyAiyuk suffered a torn ACL and MCL in the 49ers’ Week 7 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2024 season.
During his last fully healthy season, Aiyuk produced 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Understandably, San Francisco would like to recoup some value for Aiyuk’s talent. However, Aiyuk last played a game over 500 days ago, and combined with the controversial handling of his 49ers tenure, not many teams are chomping at the bit to add him. Because of the lack of market value for Aiyuk, the 49ers will likely have to accept a lower trade cost than they’d like in an exchange.
NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco just revealed what he believes Aiyuk’s trade value is during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show.
“Anything. Maybe a seventh-round pick,”Maiocco said. “Based on how last year went, I don’t know if any team would be willing to pay more than that.”
A late-round pick for a receiver who has immense upside and apre-existing relationship with Jayden Daniels and Adam Peters feels like a slam-dunk. However, the Commanders have no rush and are biding their time in hopes of bypassing a trade completely.
Commanders Seemingly Possess All The Leverage In Aiyuk Stand-Still
Joanne Coley of Sports Illustrated elaborated on the Commanders’ stance on the situation. “General manager Adam Peters is reportedly warming to the idea of bringing Aiyuk in, but not through a trade,”Coley stated. “The preference is to wait this out and see if he becomes available another way.”
It appears that the waiting game will continue for now, but as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, conversations may heat up.
The Commanders have expressed a desire to enter next season with a strong second receiving option behind Terry McLaurin. They can address this issue at any point in the draft, so the 49ers may lose their leverage after April 25th. However, if Washington walks out of the draft without another option, the 49ers gain more leverage in a trade. Both teams may be caught in a game of Brandon Aiyuk chicken. Time will only tell who folds first, but as of right now, Washington appears to be the only suitor giving them the leverage.