Most insiders and fans are now expecting a long standoff between wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers. And the Washington Commanders are still involved in the speculation, whether they like it or not.
The links are obvious, and one doesn't have to look too far around the media to find them.
Aiyuk reportedly wants to join the Commanders, and quarterback Jayden Daniels is pushing for the move. It may teeter right on the edge of tampering, but the Niners are holding their ground until they get an acceptable trade offer.
This could go on all summer. But one Niners' analyst highlighted an overlooked piece of upcoming leverage San Francisco still possesses that could completely change the dynamic.
Brandon Aiyuk's potential fines are not really the Commanders' concern
Savanah Tujague from 49ers Roundtable thought Aiyuk's possible fines for not showing up to offseason activities in the not-too-distant future might be damaging enough to speed up the process. That could reach $50,000 per day, putting general manager Adam Peters in a predicament.
"The 49ers currently hold the leverage of the "reserve/did not report" list, which allows them to fine Aiyuk up to $50,000 per day without his salary counting against their 90 man roster. For San Francisco, he is a "distraction" they can afford to keep on ice.
"For Washington, the clock is ticking. Peters must decide if Aiyuk is worth the draft capital and the massive contract extension, or if it's time to pivot toward other targets to support Daniels’ development. The NFL bus is moving. If Aiyuk doesn't find a way back on soon the doors might just close for good."
Aiyuk could be particularly stubborn and show up so he doesn't get fined. That would maintain the drawn lines in the sand while also ensuring he keeps his money. He wouldn't be involved with the team in any capacity, but it would make sense to avoid losing any more money.
He's already given up too much of that throughout this ongoing saga.
The Commanders could easily force the issue by throwing a late-round draft pick to San Francisco, but that remains unlikely. Peters is seemingly willing to wait it out, and there is nothing stopping Washington's front-office leader from turning his attention to other targets. Stefon Diggs is another hot name. While this is also risky, he's available right now.
Money makes the world go around. Aiyuk has sacrificed a ton of that after the Niners waived the remaining guarantees on his deal, so he can ill-afford more hardship.
But at the end of the day, that's not really the Commanders' problem.
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