The Washington Commanders are reportedly interested in Brandon Aiyuk, but they remain steadfast in their unwillingness to trade for the wide receiver. General manager Adam Peters is playing a dangerous waiting game, and the front-office leader just lost arguably his primary fallback option.
Aiyuk wasn't the only ex-San Francisco 49ers pass-catcher who generated interest from the Commanders this offseason. Jauan Jennings was another, with Peters reaching out to his representatives to gauge interest and affordability. Quarterback Jayden Daniels' main choice is painfully obvious, and the free agent available right now was not going to wait around.
Jennings was eager to find a new opportunity. After a two-day meeting with the Minnesota Vikings, the 2020 seventh-round pick out of Tennessee agreed to terms on a deal.
Commanders have one less receiver to consider after Jauan Jennings joins Vikings
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, Jennings has signed a contract worth up to $13 million. That is far below the figure he was expected to command, with reports suggesting he'd priced himself out of the early market.
Independent team insider Ben Standig confirmed that Washington had reached out to Jennings. They never pursued it aggressively, despite the receiver's previous relationship with Peters from their time together in San Francisco.
"Washington checked in with the ex-49er during free agency but never seemed to get overly involved despite the connection with GM Adam Peters from their San Fran days and receiver need."
There are other options available. Stefon Diggs is looking for work now that his court case has concluded successfully. The Commanders could bring in someone like DeAndre Hopkins as another mentor to their young core. Peters may also revisit the possibility of re-signing Deebo Samuel Sr., who surprisingly remains on the market despite performing well in difficult circumstances last season.
But everyone knows who the main target is.
Aiyuk.
That is the goal, and the NFL's worst-kept secret.
Peters is happy with the wideout room as it stands, but reports indicate they see Aiyuk as someone who could provide a massive boost if he stays healthy. The Niners aren't going to release him anytime soon, so one has to wonder just how long this goes before the Commanders turn their attention to other targets.
Jennings is no longer an option. Pretty soon, Diggs, Hopkins, and Samuel won't be either. Unless Peters is willing to gamble on those lower down the depth chart to break out under new offensive coordinator David Blough, it's once again piling too much pressure on Terry McLaurin.
And if Jennings excels alongside Justin Jefferson in Minnesota, fans will be wondering why the Commanders didn't delve deeper into this possibility amid the furor around Aiyuk.
Time will tell on all fronts...
Add us as a preferred source on Google