If the Washington Commanders could truly land another elite wide receiver in Brandon Aiyuk, then they will have Aiyuk himself to thank for putting them in a situation where that’s even a possibility.
That’s because Aiyuk has done everything in his power to torpedo his time in a San Francisco 49ers uniform, including doing enough (or so little) that the 49ers made the unusual decision of voiding the approximately $27 million in guaranteed money he was due from the team in 2026 because he was “not living up to the terms of his contract.”
“It takes a lot of things to get a contract voided,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told ESPN’s Nick Wagoner on November 22. “I’ve never dealt with that in my career and been in any building that’s had that. It was unusual. But that’s stuff that I can’t get into right now.”
Aiyuk signed a 4-year, $120 million contract extension with the 49ers before the 2024 season and after his only NFL All-Pro season in 2023.
By getting part of his contract voided, combined with his lack of production over the last 2 seasons, Aiyuk might now actually be a viable trade target for the Commanders in the offseason because he’s damaged his value so much. If it even comes to that.
Aiyuk tore his ACL and MCL in Week 7 of the 2024 regular season and hasn’t played a game for the 49ers since his injury.
“An outright release with no post-June 1 designation means the Niners would incur a dead cap charge of $29.585 million,” Wagoner wrote. “Beyond next season, Aiyuk is scheduled to receive base salaries of $27.274 million in 2027 and $29.15 million in 2028.”
Why would the Commanders be such a good fit for Aiyuk? Mainly because his best friend is quarterback Jayden Daniels.
“I’m going to state some facts,” D.C. Sports Radio host Grant Paulsen wrote on his official X account. “Aiyuk is best friends with Commanders QB Jayden Daniels. Adam Peters helped draft Aiyuk in SF. Deebo Samuel becomes a FA this offseason and WR will be a major need. WSH will be kicking the tires.”
Aiyuk, Daniels Have Bond Dating Back to College
Daniels and Aiyuk were teammates for one season at Arizona State in 2019, when Daniels was a true freshman and Aiyuk was a senior. It also ended up being the most important season of Aiyuk’s football career in terms of making it to the NFL.
That season, Aiyuk exploded for 65 receptions for 1,192 yards and 8 touchdowns catching with Daniels as his quarterback. Aiyuk finished with 1,870 all-purpose yards and was named All-Pac-12.
That one season with Daniels propelled Aiyuk into the first round of the 2020 NFL draft, where he was selected No. 25 overall by the 49ers.
“Jayden Daniels could finally be reunited with Brandon Aiyuk, with the Commanders as heavy favorites to land the soon-to-be free agent,” Commanders reporter Josh Taylor wrote on his official X account.
“The 49ers are planning on releasing Brandon Aiyuk at the end of the season,” Sleeper Commanders wrote on its official X account. “Future Commander?”
“So Aiyuk signing with the Commanders is written in stone, right?” NFL draft analyst Marcus Whitman wrote on his official X account.
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