Brandon Aiyuk is not leaving the San Francisco 49ers anytime soon. That's the reality, regardless of how much he wants to play for the Washington Commanders alongside his former college teammate Jayden Daaniels.
Everyone has an opinion on the Niners' approach. Head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch are being petty and difficult. They are taking things personally, and they are going to drag this out longer than necessary. And in all honesty, there is nothing Aiyuk can do about it.
It's a complete mess. Gregg Rosenthal of the NFL Daily podcast went one step further, proclaiming San Francisco was bordering on delusion with its approach, even claiming the AFC West club was holding Aiyuk hostage for nothing more than saving face.
Commanders proceed with offseason plan as 49ers get backlash over Brandon Aiyuk
Rosenthal said the Niners were making themselves look small by handling Aiyuk this way. They look unprofessional, and San Francisco is never going to get the late-round selection Lynch supposedly wants to finally dispose of the wideout.
“In a world where you don’t think he acted professionally, keeping him held hostage on the roster, when you’re not gonna get anything for him, I promise you they’re not, makes you look small.
"It makes you look unprofessional. Be the bigger person. Even if you have certain feelings about how [Brandon] Aiyuk acted, why are you holding him hostage, essentially, in the hopes of getting a 6th or 7th pick slot, which I don’t think you’re gonna get?”
It was a tedious situation long ago. Shanahan and Lynch have done nothing to suggest a move is imminent. They could drag this out a long way into training camp if they wish. Aiyuk is under contract for three more years. If the Niners want to let him rot, that's their prerogative.
That won't make them look good, but they are clearly out to make a point. And all the Commanders can do is bide their time if they are intent on bringing the 2020 first-round pick out of Arizona State into the fold.
Aiyuk is no saint, of course. He reportedly wanted to play last season, but when it seemed that wouldn't happen, he cut off all ties with the club. The Niners aren't going to roll over and give the player what he wants without some sort of stubbornness. Even so, this is in danger of going way too far.
Just what sort of satisfaction the Niners are going to get from prolonging this saga is anyone's guess. But for the Commanders? They'll keep moving forward with their strategy until Aiyuk's situation resolves itself one way or another.
When that happens, it will have Peters' attention. Until then, this is nothing more than a distraction that Washington can stay well away from.