One doesn't have to look far around the media to see speculation linking wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to the Washington Commanders. But he is still under contract with the San Francisco 49ers, who are holding their ground and demanding something in return.
General manager Adam Peters cannot guarantee anything with Aiyuk unless he agrees to send over a late-round selection to expedite the process. Reports suggest it won't happen, but being left without anything wouldn't be smart.
And there is one potential option that has been completely overlooked in comparison.
Commanders bringing back Deebo Samuel makes more sense than ever
It's somewhat surprising to see Deebo Samuel Sr. still sitting on the free-agent market. The wide receiver performed well for the Commanders in difficult circumstances last season. He got almost no help, and quarterback Jayden Daniels was barely available. Despite the challenges, the versatile weapon was disciplined, focused, and productive throughout.
The former South Carolina standout is not the All-Pro force of old, but Samuel can still go. He is taking his time before choosing where to go next. Now that the dust has settled on the 2026 NFL Draft, another opportunity might not take much longer to arrive.
Much will depend on the money involved, but the Commanders could do far worse. He's already familiar with the setup and the culture installed by head coach Dan Quinn. He's already developed chemistry with Daniels and other players. He's also got the versatility and physicality that should fit well into David Blough's new schematic concepts.
This wouldn't just be going back to an old friend for the sake of it, either. Samuel remains productive. Though asking him to be a WR1 at this stage of his career is pushing it, with Terry McLaurin healthy and third-round pick Antonio Williams projected for big things, he could be a nice complement to what is already available.
Aiyuk was an elite playmaker at the peak of his powers. However, he hasn't played since midway through the 2024 season, so there's no telling whether he'll ever return to his old form. The Commanders cannot count on it, despite the player's close relationship with Daniels. Samuel is more reliable and could be a decent insurance policy if he is willing to accept a one-year deal.
The Commanders need another productive pass-catcher. That is pretty common knowledge, and it won't change even if Aiyuk does arrive. Samuel is available right now, and there would be no transitional period for someone who was a big part of the team's plans last season.
It seems the Commanders have decided to look elsewhere. But if the Aiyuk situation continues to drag on, the temptation to bring Samuel back will only grow.
And stranger things have happened in the wild world of the NFL.
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