It's easy for Washington Commanders fans to start thinking about the offseason. There will be a lot for general manager Adam Peters to get through, and speculation is already rising about which new additions could join the organization next spring.
And one leading NFL insider fanned the flames around the prospect of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk joining the ranks.
Aiyuk is currently at loggerheads with the Niners. He's disengaged from the franchise, and they've voided the guaranteed money on his 2026 deal with no contention from the player. That's led most to conclude he'll be released, and his previous connection to quarterback Jayden Daniels makes a potential reunion in Washington entirely plausible.
Commanders named as team to watch if Brandon Aiyuk is released by the 49ers
Jeremy Fowler from ESPN agrees. The senior insider named the Commanders as a team to watch if Aiyuk hits the open market, citing his close bond with Daniels and Peters' familiarity with him from his time in San Francisco as possible catalysts behind the switch.
"His turbulent past two years in San Francisco must be accounted for, but he's only 27 and has a transferable skill -- he's an elite route runner, assuming he becomes healthy enough to still beat corners. One team to potentially watch for Aiyuk is Washington. He is close with quarterback Jayden Daniels, his former teammate at Arizona State. And general manager Adam Peters -- a John Lynch disciple from his time in San Francisco -- understands the Aiyuk experience well."Jeremy Fowler
The Commanders won't be trading for Aiyuk. They don't have the capital. But if a parting of the ways comes via release, that could put them in the driving seat.
Daniels and Aiyuk formed an unbreakable bond at Arizona State. The wideout has hinted at his desire to play with his college signal-caller on several occasions. If he gets the opportunity to pick his next destination, the 2020 first-round pick will never get a better chance to put this plan into motion.
There are concerns. Aiyuk has missed a lot of football. His ACL tear was much more serious than expected, so he might not be as impactful as expected. However, if everything checks out medically and the Commanders are confident his health issues are behind him, this addition will undoubtedly get Daniels' seal of approval.
A lot needs to happen before then, and there are reports of Aiyuk's teammates in San Francisco trying to get him back involved. These pleas have fallen on deaf ears so far, so a departure remains the most likely outcome.
And that instantly puts the Commanders under the microscope.