The Washington Commanders’ reported pursuit of Brandon Aiyuk is not new to NFL fans and the media. Everybody knows that the franchise QB Jayden Daniels and the general manager Adam Peters are quite close to the San Francisco 49ers’ wideout.
But after Aiyuk’s recent and direct jab at the 49ers’ head coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch, everything has changed. Reportedly, the Commanders’ interest has taken a major turn as questions surrounding the veteran’s future continue to grow both on and off the field.
According to The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala, Washington had earlier explored the possibility of signing Aiyuk to a one-year, incentive-heavy contract if the 49ers were to release him.
The reporter added, “The thinking was that if Aiyuk played anywhere close to the level he did a few years ago, then the Commanders would have two excellent receivers with him and Terry McLaurin, with depth and speed behind them. If things went south with Aiyuk, the Commanders could get out at no real cost.”
However, the Commanders were never interested in acquiring him via trade, and recent developments have reportedly made the idea of pursuing the receiver considerably more complicated.
But Jhabvala has also added something more important to their report. “There’s a lot to unpack and plenty of reasons for the Commanders to have trepidation in taking him on, if there’s still interest. He has seemed to achieve what he wants by drawing headline after headline with his social media posts, but the long-term prospects of a return no longer seem as promising,” the reporter wrote.
At one point, the move was viewed as a relatively low-risk opportunity. With general manager Peters having helped draft Aiyuk during his time in San Francisco and quarterback Daniels sharing a close relationship with the receiver, Washington believed the former first-round pick could thrive alongside Terry McLaurin if he returned to his previous Pro Bowl-caliber form.
Aiyuk entered the NFL in 2020 and made an immediate impact, recording 60 receptions for 748 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 12 games during his rookie season. He followed that with 56 catches for 826 yards and five touchdowns across 17 games in 2021 before enjoying a breakout campaign in 2022, when he posted 78 receptions for 1,015 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns.
Aiyuk elevated his game even further in 2023, earning First-Team All-Pro honors after finishing with 75 receptions for a career-best 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games. His 2024 season was cut short after seven games, during which he totaled 25 receptions for 374 yards and did not record a touchdown before suffering a season-ending injury.
But that outlook has reportedly changed following Aiyuk’s recent string of social media videos criticizing 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, members of the front office, and even some teammates. Those public comments have reportedly raised concerns about whether he would be the right fit for the culture the Commanders are trying to establish.
Even if the 49ers ultimately decide to part ways with Aiyuk before training camp, Washington would reportedly need to be convinced that the 28-year-old is fully prepared, both physically and emotionally, to contribute to the team’s long-term vision.
His health remains another significant question. Aiyuk has not appeared in an NFL game since Week 7 of the 2024 season. It left uncertainty about whether he can quickly return to the level of play that made him one of the league’s most productive wide receivers just a few seasons ago.
Complicating matters further, Aiyuk recently ended his relationship with longtime agent Ryan Williams, although he remains under contract with San Francisco.
But it was not only the Commanders that have changed their mind, but also former NFL wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
Former NFL star T.J. Houshmandzadeh warned the Commanders’ GM about signing Brandon Aiyuk
Aiyuk’s video on social media sparked strong reactions around the league, including from former NFL wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who criticized Commanders general manager Adam Peters while discussing the situation. Houshmandzadeh also delivered a blunt warning aimed directly at Aiyuk over his recent public comments: “Adam Peters, you sign Aiyuk; the Commanders should fire you the day you sign him.”
Peters and Aiyuk worked together in the San Francisco 49ers’ front office and on the active roster from 2020 through the end of the 2023 NFL season. During this period, Peters served as the 49ers’ Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Personnel. He was an integral part of the front office that scouted and selected Aiyuk in the first round (25th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.
That is why the potential trade or acquisition can happen for Aiyuk, which no one can deny. But according to many, hiring Aiyuk would do more harm than good to the Commanders and to Peters’ career also.
For now, Washington’s reported interest appears far less straightforward than it did earlier this offseason, with any potential move likely hinging on both Aiyuk’s availability and the organization’s confidence that he can leave the recent controversy behind.