Is Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters likely already anticipating the day?
What day is that? Well, on Friday, the news broke that the San Francisco 49ers and WR Brandon Aiyuk have hit a rough spot in their journey together. Rough enough that a divorce seems inevitable. Dianna Russini of the Athletic broke the news early Friday evening.
Aiyuk and the 49ers agreed to a four-year deal just prior to the beginning of the 2024 NFL season. The 25th overall selection in the 2020 NFL draft, Aiyuk had produced enough for the 49ers in his first four seasons, and the 49ers exercised the fifth-year option on him for $14.1M for the 2024 season.
Then, in August of 2024, the 49ers re-signed Aiyuk to a 4-year $120 million contract extension. But Aiyuk played only seven games in the 2024 season due to a knee injury. The 49ers have voided his 2026 guaranteed money, citing that Aiyuk has not met contractual obligations.
It’s uncertain whether Aiyuk will play in the 2025 season. His injury was really bad, including the fact that he tore his ACL, MCL, and meniscus in a Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024, and he has been rehabilitating.
Would the Commanders be interested? The injury is bad enough that much is clear. Clear enough that Aiyuk has remained on the physically unable to perform list this season. The Commanders are so thin at receiver that it is conceivable they would be willing to take a shot on Aiyuk, who will not turn 28 until next March.
If the 49ers do release Aiyuk, then with the severity of his injury and how it might end in San Francisco, Aiyuk will undoubtedly see his value take a significant hit, and thus his next contract will likely bring much less in value.
Speculation soared that Aiyuk would sign with Washington because Jayden Daniels and Aiyuk both played at Arizona State before Daniels transferred to LSU. But eventually, the deal with the 49ers and Aiyuk was reached, only for Aiyuk to suffer an unfortunate injury.
As for the Commanders’ receivers group? Terry McLaurin has been out more than he’s played. Noah Brown hasn’t suited up since the Week 2 Packers game. Luke McCaffrey broke his collarbone returning a kickoff against the Seahawks. Deebo Samuel has had some success with underneath routes and breaking tackles. Samuel becomes a free agent after the 2025 season. Treylon Burks broke a finger against the Lions and missed the game against the Dolphins. Rookie Jaylin Lane has had his struggles and suffered a hip injury against Miami.
It’s worth noting that Daniels and Aiyuk remain close. Aiyuk flirted with the possibility of joining Daniels and the Commanders multiple times before he signed his extension last year. If the Niners officially move on from Aiyuk, he will likely need to sign an incentive-laden deal with his next team. You can bet Daniels would love a reunion with Aiyuk.