New Brandon Aiyuk Trade Rumors Reveals Commanders' Stance as WR Eyes Jayden Daniels Pairing

The Washington Commanders reportedly could be in the market for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, but only at the right price.

According to ESPN's John Keim, the Commanders are "well aware" that Aiyuk would like to play with quarterback Jayden Daniels, but they are "unlikely" to trade for him since that would mean taking on the remaining three years of his contract after he signed a four-year, $120 million extension in 2024.

Should the Niners release Aiyuk, Washington could be a potential landing spot, but it would probably have to be on a "one-year, prove-it deal," per Keim.

Keim noted that the Commanders have been heavily involved with the receiver market this offseason, as they are in search of a complement to No. 1 wideout Terry McLaurin.

The Commanders reportedly pursued Romeo Doubs before he signed with the New England Patriots, and they would have gone after Alec Pierce had he not re-signed with the Indianapolis Colts. A source told Keim that Pierce "absolutely" would have signed with Washington had he made it to free agency.

Aiyuk, 28, didn't play at all last season after suffering a torn ACL and MCL in the middle of the 2024 campaign.

While Aiyuk was expected to return and play at some point during the 2025 season, the 49ers placed him on the reserve/left team list in December.

Per ESPN's Nick Wagoner, that decision came after the 49ers voided $27 million in guarantees Aiyuk had in his contract for 2026 due to Aiyuk missing rehab sessions.

In January, 49ers general manager John Lynch suggested that Aiyuk's time in Sam Francisco was done, telling reporters, "I think it's safe to say that he's played his last snap with the Niners. It's unfortunate. A situation that just went awry. And I will look long and hard at what could have been done differently, but sometimes it just doesn't work out. And I think that this was a case where that happened."

The 49ers have yet to officially move on from Aiyuk, perhaps since they would prefer a trade, but if no trade partner emerges, a release may eventually become their best option.

A first-round pick out of Arizona State in 2020, Aiyuk has been a highly productive NFL player when healthy.

In 69 games over five seasons, Aiyuk has recorded 294 receptions for 4,305 yards and 25 touchdowns. That includes reaching the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in 2022 and then setting a career high with 1,342 yards in 2023.

Aiyuk's reported desire to play alongside Daniels likely stems from the fact that they were teammates at Arizona State in 2019.

With Daniels as his quarterback, Aiyuk put up big numbers, catching 65 passes for 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns.

Daniels went on to transfer to LSU and win the Heisman Trophy before going second overall to Washington in the 2024 NFL draft and winning the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.

Injuries derailed Daniels' 2025 season, and the Commanders took a significant step backward as a result, but they could be back in the playoff mix with a healthy Daniels in 2026.

Despite signing Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson in free agency, and re-signing Treylon Burks, the Commanders still don't have a clear and obvious WR2 across from McLaurin, which could make Aiyuk a compelling option for Daniels and the offense if he becomes available.