San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk appears confident that his next NFL destination will be the Washington Commanders. However, after his recent social media outbursts, it's fair to wonder whether any team will be willing to take a chance on the veteran receiver.
According to The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala, the Commanders were initially open to signing Aiyuk to a one-year, incentive-laden contract if the 49ers released him. That interest, however, may have cooled in light of Aiyuk's recent behavior.
"Here's what I can tell you: I know that earlier in the offseason, the Commanders were interested in him to the extent that they would consider a one-year, highly incentivized deal if and when the San Francisco 49ers ever release him," Jhabvala wrote. "Jayden Daniels is obviously close with the 28-year-old receiver, and general manager Adam Peters was a part of San Francisco's front office when it drafted Aiyuk in 2020. So they know what Aiyuk was at his peak."
Jhabvala noted that Washington was never interested in trading for Aiyuk. Instead, the Commanders preferred the flexibility of a short-term contract that would allow them to move on easily if the partnership didn't work out.
Aiyuk's recent social media activity—in which he has criticized the 49ers, his former agent, and even the NFL Players Association—has raised questions about his standing around the league. One 49ers insider recently wondered whether Aiyuk may have already played his final NFL game.
Still, a move to Washington may not be completely off the table. If another opportunity arises, Aiyuk will likely need to accept a one-year "prove-it" contract, potentially for the veteran minimum, as he works to rebuild both his value and his reputation.
"If the 49ers do release Aiyuk before the start of training camp, the Commanders could still consider him," Jhabvala wrote. "But they'd have to feel incredibly confident that he's fit, physically and emotionally, to not just sign, but be committed to what they're trying to build. That's a big 'if' given his recent history and the fallout with the 49ers."
For now, Aiyuk remains on the 49ers' roster. He is still on the reserve/left squad list and reportedly needs to file reinstatement paperwork. While many expect San Francisco to release the receiver eventually, given that Aiyuk has burned so many bridges, there is no rush to grant his wish.
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