Most experts thought the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk would have gone their separate ways by now. Some believe it will happen after June 1. But there is also a growing sense that the Washington Commanders could be waiting much longer before making an approach.
The Niners and Aiyuk haven't spoken since November. There is a clear bitterness emanating from general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan, with the latter stating they were in no rush to resolve the issue unless a willing trade suitor comes forward.
There is almost no chance of that. Even so, that doesn't mean San Francisco will gift-wrap the player for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Commanders could be waiting months before getting their shot at Brandon Aiyuk
ESPN insider Nick Wagoner thought the only real deadline that matters is September 1, given the financial implications. He acknowledged that the Niners would like to get the issue resolved before then, but they seem happy enough to drag things out on the off chance someone becomes desperate enough to take the plunge.
"For now, the only deadline is Sept. 1, when [Brandon] Aiyuk has a $24.935 million option bonus due. The 49ers would prefer to move on from Aiyuk long before then, but with that date so far out, it at least gives them flexibility.
"The Niners don't need the minimal 2026 cap space that releasing Aiyuk would create, so they're incentivized to hold on to him in case a team wants to make a trade offer. For now, the 49ers seem content to wait and see if any team is willing to give them something for Aiyuk."
Aiyuk's cap hits are enormous over the final two years of his deal. His injury problems are well-documented. Even though the Niners are not without blame, his actions in recent months have also come under fire. There are a lot of red flags, no matter how good the pass-catcher was at the peak of his powers.
If Wagoner believes this is the lay of the land, then there is a good chance Adam Peters knows full well what's going on, too.
He dined with Shanahan at the annual league meetings. He's getting information from Daniels, who is trying to make the Commanders more receptive to the move. The front-office leader also knows Aiyuk well, so he should have all the information required to make a smart decision.
That reportedly won't be in a trade, unless there is a change of pace. The consensus opinion centers on Aiyuk signing a one-year, prove-it deal with the Commanders when the Niners release him. But if that is on August 31, there is just no telling how long it'll take the Arizona State product to get up to speed.
Aiyuk is biding his time. The Commanders are, too. But the Niners are digging in until they get what they want.
And there are no real winners.