Commanders' reported Brandon Aiyuk trade stance gets seal of approval

It seems for all the smart money as if Brandon Aiyuk won't be in a Washington Commanders uniform next season. The wide receiver is on the move unless there's a drastic change in course. However, general manager Adam Peters hasn't pulled the trigger on a potential trade for a player he knows well from their time together on the San Francisco 49ers.

This is a hot topic of discussion among the fanbase. Some want to reunite Aiyulk with his close friend and former college teammate Jayden Daniels no matter the cost. Others think staying clear is a wise move at this early stage of the new front-office leader's rebuilding project. The benefits are obvious, but the Commanders are being run with a business-first mindset at long last.

If this was a couple of years down the line, Peters might have a different thought process. The Commanders aren't in a position to be giving Aiyuk $30 million per season while also sacrificing significant draft assets. That's the disappointing reality after he inherited a complete mess from the previous regime.

Commanders can build something special without Brandon Aiyuk

Matt Josephs from ESPN Richmond gave the Commanders' reported stance his seal of approval. He believes that mortgaging for the future shouldn't be in the team's thought process currently. They are finally working on a long-term plan and shouldn't deviate despite the proven credentials Aiyuk brings to the table.

"The Commanders do not have the veteran wide receiver they can offer to make this deal a palatable one. If you could offer Olamide Zaccheaus and a third, you'd probably do it. But you're not going to be able to do that. Maybe the Commanders get back in, but I would not if I was Washington. You finally have a good front office in place. You finally have a group and a team with a plan. You finally have everything in place to go and start building. Not just a one-year thing, but a multi-year thing, especially if Jayden Daniels is what we think he's going to be. We think Jayden Daniels is going to be a really good quarterback, then you are building something. So I would not want Brandon Aiyuk if I was the Commanders."

- Matt Josephs, ESPN Richmond

The Pittsburgh Steelers are said to be the frontrunners. This was the team Aiyuk named along with the Commanders that he'd want to play for if things didn't work out in San Francisco. Nothing has been confirmed one way or another, but an end to this long-running saga is almost upon us.

Peters is a smart man. He came to the Commanders with a lofty reputation and enhanced this considerably during a frantic first offseason at the helm. Aiyuk is a genuine difference-maker with an already-developed chemistry with Daniels. At the time time, the logistics just don't fit right now.

The NFL world is waiting with bated breath to see where Aiyuk ends up. Other teams haven't thrown in the towel yet according to reports from respected insiders. Other independent sources seem to believe a move to Pittsburgh is already a done deal.

Washington probably spoke about the possibility of landing Aiyuk for due diligence purposes if nothing else. If turning the other way and moving forward with what they have was the conclusion, there needs to be a level of trust attached.

After all, this is not the same shoddy football operation of years gone by.

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