At the midpoint of the NFL offseason, the San Francisco 49ers have made it clear they are not planning to cut wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Instead, the organization appears focused on finding a trade partner, even if the return is only a late-round draft pick.
That leaves uncertainty about whether a team like the Washington Commanders, which has been tied to Aiyuk because of his relationship with quarterback Jayden Daniels, will make an offer or continue to wait and see if San Francisco eventually has no choice but to release him.
Nonetheless, regardless of what decision Washington decides to do, if they can get Aiyuk and if Daniels can potentially motivate his friend to give them the 2023 version, The Team 980’s Kevin Sheehan believes that can be a game-changer for the Commanders.
“Aiyuk is a total wild card whose presence could be, certainly no guarantee, but the reason you do this is that he could be an absolute game changer, a season changer, if he’s the player, or even remotely close to the player that he was in 2023,” Sheehan said in an April 30 video. “It could also turn out to be a dud.
“You know what it won’t turn out to be, if they handle it the right way? A disaster. Because if there’s little risk in terms of contract, salary cap, and giving up draft picks, and you can turn him loose if he becomes a problem, or if he just sucks and he’s not any good, it can’t be a disaster.”
Insider Issues Clear Update on 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk
On April 29, NFL insider Ian Rapoport shared the latest on Aiyuk, noting that there’s interest from Washington.
“I think the 49ers are like, just trade for him,” Rapoport said during an appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show.” “He has no guaranteed money left. He is due a big number, $27 [million] or something like that, but no guaranteed money remains because he stopped showing up for rehab last year, and they took his guaranteed money away.
“If you are a team like the Commanders, who have interest, you say just cut him. You are going to cut him anyway. The Niners are saying they will not cut him and that you have to trade for him. The Commanders respond that you should just cut him. That is where things stand. It is a standoff.”
Niners GM Stands Firm on Brandon Aiyuk Stance
San Francisco recently made it clear that they are open to making a deal with any team for Aiyuk.
“We are available,“ 49ers general manager John Lynch said as he held up his phone. “Give us a call.”
Lynch continued to break down the team’s willingness to trade Aiyuk.
“[Aiyuk] is an extremely talented and effective player in our league,“ Lynch said. “The situation didn’t work itself out here. That is not to say it can’t be rekindled somewhere else. We would be happy to do something with anyone if the opportunity presented itself.”
Aiyuk has spent five seasons with San Francisco, totaling 294 receptions for 4,305 yards and 27 touchdowns, per StatMuse.
Commanders Get Blunt Message Regarding 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk