NFL Trade Rumors: 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk to Commanders?
As is often the case for teams that can maintain a high level of success in the NFL, keeping all of the players who are instrumental in playoff runs is difficult.
After another Super Bowl appearance, the San Francisco 49ers find themselves in that situation yet again. In 2020, they traded defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts for a first-round pick. Now, they may trade another important piece in receiver Brandon Aiyuk, and signs point to him potentially wanting out from the franchise that drafted him in 2020.
Aiyuk's girlfriend, Rochelle Searight, and his former college teammate, Draysean Hudson, hinted at him playing elsewhere next season with their comments after the Super Bowl. Aiyuk was also non-commital about returning to San Francisco.
"If that's the right move," Aiyuk said on Tuesday of returning to the 49ers.
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs safety Mike Edwards (21) tackles San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) during overtime of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium.
Kyle Terada - USA TODAY Sports
Could the Washington Commanders stand to benefit from the 49ers looking to trade Aiyuk before they have to pay him or let him leave in free agency after next season?
With Commanders general manager Adam Peters coming from the 49ers, the natural connection will be him looking at players from his former team, whether it's via trade or free agency. Peters was with San Francisco from 2017-2023 as their vice president of player personnel and assistant general manager. Among the moves San Francisco made while Peters was in the building included trading up for Aiyuk in 2020.
Aiyuk, 25, has turned into one of the better receivers in football and has had back-to-back seasons with at least 75 catches, 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns. The fourth-year receiver also set career-highs with 1,342 receiving yards and 61 catches for first downs in 2023.
Trading for Aiyuk won't be cheap for whoever is interested in him, though the Commanders may be one of the teams best positioned to make a trade for him. Along with draft compensation, they may have to sign him to a contract extension or pay him just over $14 million in the final year of his rookie contract in 2024, according to Spotrac.
Washington is projected to have the most cap space in the NFL with over $80 million, and they have six picks in the top 102 of the 2024 NFL Draft. That can put the Commanders in a position where they can sign Aiyuk to an extension and still have cap space and valuable draft picks to build the team.
While Aiyuk could request a trade, he's still under contract with San Francisco for one more season. Given that the 49ers are still in their Super Bowl window, he could be inclined to return for one more run as opposed to being traded to a team that's in the middle of a rebuild or isn't a viable contender.
A duo of Aiyuk and Terry McLaurin would be one of the best in football. It would also set up whoever is the Commanders' starting quarterback next season for success, whether it's Sam Howell, a veteran quarterback, or the one they could take with the No. 2 overall pick.
If anyone would know what it should take to land Aiyuk via trade, it's Peters. And if he's willing to pay a hefty price to land Aiyuk and sign him to an extension, it'd bode well for the Commanders and their future.
If the 49ers' No. 1 receiver does indeed want out, Washington would be remiss not to at least see what it would cost to get him to the nation's capital.
