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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels during a November 24, 2024 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels made a subtle claim on which wideout his team should pursue. While not explicitly stated in an interview with Yahoo Sports writer Nate Tice, the third-year quarterback narrowed the focus to San Francisco 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk, stating:
“Yeah, there’s a couple of individuals that are out there. Maybe somebody from Arizona State in my past. There are people like that out there; I don’t want to get into that too much. When that time comes, hopefully we can see those types of players.”
With new coordinator David Blough in charge, Daniels and the Commanders may need to adjust or restructure their offensive approach. While the team boasted one of the most productive rushing offenses, ranking in the Top 10, the passing game suffered. Between Daniels’ injuries, Marcus Mariota’s inaccuracy, and issues with playcalling, the team struggled.
GettyWashington quarterback Jayden Daniels during a November 2, 2025 game against teh Seattle Seahawks.
Former Sun Devils Share History, Bond Over Football Experiences
In 2019, the duo led Arizona State to an 8-5 season, culminating in a Sun Bowl victory over Florida State. Aiyuk caught 65 passes for 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns. Aiyuk also led the Pac-12 in kick return average (31.9), punt return average (16.1), and punt return scores (one). The two also share an off-field friendship, which could play a role in Daniels’ recruitment of Aiyuk.
Highlight of the night! 🔱
Jayden Daniels throws a 81 yard TD pass to Brandon Aiyuk!
— West Coast College Sports Guy (@WCCSG_) February 5, 2026
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After their one year in Tempe, Daniels headed to LSU, where he won the Heisman Trophy. San Francisco selected Aiyuk with the No. 25 pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. In the ensuing seasons, he’s tallied two 1,000-yard seasons. Over the past two seasons, Aiyuk has missed 11 games with injuries. He missed the entire 2025 season recovering from ACL and MCL injuries sustained on October 20, 2024, against the Kansas City Chiefs.
GettyJayden Daniels and Brandon Aiyuk, during their days at Arizona State.
Acquisition of Aiyuk Immediately Solves the Problem in DC
Make no mistake, Terry McLaurin is the No. 1 receiver, Daniels’ first read on passing plays. But adding a WR2 to relieve pressure would make the Commanders’ defense more dangerous. Aiyuk fits perfectly into the secondary role based on his skill set.
As a wideout, he excels at run after catch, functioning like a running back, preferring to get vertical before anything else, gaining positive yardage in chunks. Meanwhile, one aspect of any potential deal could benefit the Commanders while posing a larger issue.
Potential Speed Bumps Exist for Reunion in the Nation’s Capital
Granted, Aiyuk’s injury most likely lowers what the 49ers would want in return. Ashington could conceivably offer a mid-round pick as a starter. However, the major issue resides with Aiyuk’s contract. According to Spotrac, he is owed $82,124,000 over the next three seasons. Committing over $80 million over the next three seasons for a receiver who missed an entire season with a catastrophic knee injury could put the Commanders at risk.
At the same time, if Aiyuk manages to recover and resume his career the same way as before the injury, he becomes a potential trade target. Additionally, if Daniels, as the franchise quarterback, possesses any influence, requesting the front office to make this trade could also suggest the team’s long-term commitment to him.
Terrance Biggs Terrance started at heavy.com in January 2026
He is a veteran sportswriter with 12 years of experience, covering NFL, College, and MLB. Terrance has held positions at Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Sports Network. A graduate of Fort Hays State University with a bachelor’s in Communication, he is also a voting member of the Football Writers Association of America, United States Basketball Writers Association and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. More about Terrance Biggs
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