The San Francisco 49ers are still clinging to hope that they can find a trade partner for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. He's reportedly keen on joining the Washington Commanders, but his current employers aren't going to make it easy.
And the latest update from ESPN insider Adam Schefter told Commanders fans everything they needed to know.
Aiyuk has cut off all contact with the Niners. Fans will probably never know what really went down, but general manager John Lynch once again pleaded with any interested suitors to come forward with an offer after the draft. This scenario looks extremely unlikely, and Schefter's recent revelation suggests that the wideout is holding the cards.
Brandon Aiyuk's radio silence speaks volumes as Commanders bide their time
Schefter reported that teams are reluctant to take on his contract, and rightfully so. A lack of communication is also proving difficult, with anyone looking to speak with Aiyuk so far getting the cold shoulder.
“I think the reason a team is not trading for him right now is they don’t want to assume the current contract that he has. It’s a situation where he hasn’t been in clear and constant communication with the Niners and they have had a hard time getting a hold of him. Other teams have attempted to reach out and they have had a hard time getting a hold of him.”
Aiyuk isn't interested. But there are probably a couple of guys he would gladly pick up the phone for when the situation presents itself.
Adam Peters. And Jayden Daniels.
The former Arizona State star's desire to join the Commanders is one of the worst-kept secrets in the league. San Francisco is aware of this, but Lynch and Kyle Shanahan are under no obligation to do right by the receiver after how things unfolded. But if he is unwilling to speak with other clubs about potentially reworking the contract, there is nothing the Niners can do.
In a sense, the contract, injury issues, and friction have given Aiyuk a de facto no-trade clause. If he flat-out says there will be no reworking of his deal, no trade will be struck with anybody. No team in their right mind will take on those cap hits when there is so much uncertainty around his status. And if this is the approach that gets him to Washington, he's willing to take it.
It's not ideal, and the Niners could hold onto him before his roster bonus is due on September 1. Just what the point in that would be, aside from vindictiveness, is anyone's guess. But the lines in the sand have been firmly drawn.
Let's see what the next few days, weeks, and even months will bring.
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