Should Commanders GM Adam Peters swing for the fences with Brandon Aiyuk trade?

Should Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters swing for the fences with a potential trade for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk?

Adam Peters is looking to make a splash during his first offseason as Washington Commanders general manager. Every avenue will be explored to improve the roster. He wants to build through the draft, but the front-office leader also knows the importance of striking with conviction when other opportunities arise.

This became a core component of his success working alongside John Lynch on the San Francisco 49ers. They maximized the trade market to full effect. Something that saw them come agonizingly close to winning the Super Bowl once again before faltering late against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Commanders should monitor Brandon Aiyuk's situation

It might take some time before the Commanders are in a position to do the same. However, if Peters' former team makes Brandon Aiyuk available for trade, the goalposts should be moved accordingly.

According to Dan Graziano of ESPN, the upcoming contract dispute between San Francisco and Aiyuk could lead to the team trading him this offseason. Nothing is set in stone as yet, but it's a situation worth monitoring where Peters is concerned.

"[Brandon] Aiyuk's situation looms the largest over this 49ers offseason, and if they can't find a way to a contract extension, the talented wideout could theoretically ask to be traded to a team that's willing and able to pay him. I want to stress that this is speculative. To me, the most likely way this shakes out is Aiyuk ends up getting traded to a team where he's the clear No. 1 wideout and where he can get the extension he wants, leaving the Niners to draft his replacement in the first round. That's the cleanest way for them to address all of their other needs."

- Dan Graziano, ESPN

Aiyuk is one of the league's best young wide receivers and wants to be paid as such. Unfortunately for the Niners, they only have one season left before quarterback Brock Purdy becomes extension-eligible and must plan accordingly. Some sacrifices need to be made. Despite his obvious gifts, the wideout could be the odd man out.

This would put the Commanders and others around the league on red alert. Aiyuk is an ascending force. He can generate separation at will and is a monster when it comes to contested catch situations. His height, length, and crisp route-running make him a matchup nightmare. Something Peters knows all too well after being part of the front-office staff that drafted him.

Anyone acquiring Aiyuk would need to part ways with a second-round pick and potentially more. They also need to extend the player with a contract that will easily be more than $20 million per season.

Fortunately for the Commanders, they have the draft assets and financial resources to pull off this sort of deal. Peters' previous relationship with Lynch could also ensure that negotiations go smoothly if the Niners started fielding calls.

Putting Aiyuk alongside Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson comes with endless potential. It would also make things extremely easy for Washington's rookie quarterback if they take one at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft as most anticipate.

This is the sort of bombshell move that would make those across the NFL start looking at the Commanders differently. A lot needs to go right, but Peters must shoot his shot if Aiyuk is deemed a necessary sacrifice by his old employers.