Brandon Aiyuk's 49ers Future Updated by John Lynch amid Commanders Trade Rumors

The San Francisco 49ers aren't planning on releasing Brandon Aiyuk in the immediate future because they're hoping to find a way to trade him, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Saturday.

Per Rapoport, when asked if the Niners would release Aiyuk, general manager John Lynch said Saturday, "Not right now."

The Washington Commanders have "interest" in Aiyuk but are waiting to see if he is released, according to Rapoport.

"[The Commanders] don't want to make a move for him because they know that the 49ers are going to release him," Rapoport said. "And the 49ers don't want to release him because they believe the Commanders want him and would potentially trade for him."

Rapoport concluded, "My belief, eventually, is that Aiyuk will be playing with his good friend Jayden Daniels for the Commanders. But how and when it actually happens will probably be something we're discussing for the rest of the spring."

Aiyuk hasn't seen NFL action since suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 7 of the 2024 season.

His split with the 49ers has been a foregone conclusion ever since the franchise voided the guaranteed money remaining on his contract last summer.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported last November the decision was connected to "Aiyuk's failure to show up for rehab appointments during the offseason."

Lynch said in January it was "safe to say that [Aiyuk's] played his last snap with the Niners."

The Commanders could now look to reunite two former college teammates in Daniels and Aiyuk, who played together at Arizona State, while adding another experienced wide receiver in addition to Terry McLaurin.

Daniels is looking to bounce back after following up his 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign with an inconsistent, injury-plagued sophomore campaign. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn could hope adding a veteran target Daniels has experience with will help put him on track to rebound in 2026.