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Since 49ers general manager John Lynch said in January that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk had played his last snap for San Francisco, the Washington Commanders became the logical landing spot for the 2020 first-round pick, who hasn't played since October 2024 due to a severe knee injury.
"I think it's safe to say that he's played his last snap with the Niners," Lynch said, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.
"It's unfortunate. A situation that just went awry. And I will look long and hard at what could have been done differently, but sometimes it just doesn't work out. And I think that this was a case where that happened."
It's been a wild ride since Lynch's comments. He hasn't made it easy for Aiyuk to reunite with his former college quarterback, Jayden Daniels, with the Commanders. Lynch has repeated that Aiyuk will not play for the 49ers again, but he's also said he is in no rush to release him. Ideally, Lynch wanted someone to send a 2026 NFL Draft pick to the Niners, but with Aiyuk's current contract, that was not going to happen.
The best solution for Aiyuk and San Francisco is a simple release. But Lynch is playing hardball. He figures why not hold onto Aiyuk for as long as possible, making it difficult for him and the team, presumably the Commanders, who want to sign him.
Washington begins Organized Team Activities (OTAs) this week. So do the 49ers. They are voluntary, so Aiyuk does not need to report. However, San Francisco will hold its mandatory minicamp on June 9. The Commanders' mandatory minicamp is scheduled to begin on June 16. Could we soon be seeing a resolution to this standoff?
If Washington really wants Aiyuk, it would certainly like him in the building sometime soon, so he can learn the offense, be examined by team doctors and spend time with his new coaches and teammates. So, would Commanders GM Adam Peters just send a late 2027 draft pick to San Francisco to get this over with?
Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report recently named six veterans who need a fresh start, and included Aiyuk on that list. Davenport names Washington as Aiyuk's potential destination, even offering up what terms of a trade could look like.
Washington Commanders Receive: WR Brandon Aiyuk, 2027 Round 6 Pick
San Francisco 49ers Receive: 2027 Round 5 Pick
Opinions are split on this one. Should Peters send a pick to the 49ers when everyone knows they will eventually release Aiyuk? You can bet that Peters, because of Daniels, knows pretty well what type of shape Aiyuk is in. He would also know how committed Aiyuk is to playing and turning his career around.
Everything depends on whether Peters believes Aiyuk will be fine if he comes in later in the summer. Perhaps he wants him in the building sooner, especially with a new offensive coordinator. But is that worth sending a draft pick to San Francisco?
Then, there's also the possibility that Washington could sign Stefon Diggs right now. Diggs, coming off a 1,000-yard season and seemingly wanting to play for his hometown team, could help the Commanders immediately. Peters has some decisions to make, but you can bet he's not done adding to the receiver room ahead of the 2026 season.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: What a Brandon Aiyuk trade could cost
Continue reading...
"I think it's safe to say that he's played his last snap with the Niners," Lynch said, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.
"It's unfortunate. A situation that just went awry. And I will look long and hard at what could have been done differently, but sometimes it just doesn't work out. And I think that this was a case where that happened."
It's been a wild ride since Lynch's comments. He hasn't made it easy for Aiyuk to reunite with his former college quarterback, Jayden Daniels, with the Commanders. Lynch has repeated that Aiyuk will not play for the 49ers again, but he's also said he is in no rush to release him. Ideally, Lynch wanted someone to send a 2026 NFL Draft pick to the Niners, but with Aiyuk's current contract, that was not going to happen.
The best solution for Aiyuk and San Francisco is a simple release. But Lynch is playing hardball. He figures why not hold onto Aiyuk for as long as possible, making it difficult for him and the team, presumably the Commanders, who want to sign him.
Washington begins Organized Team Activities (OTAs) this week. So do the 49ers. They are voluntary, so Aiyuk does not need to report. However, San Francisco will hold its mandatory minicamp on June 9. The Commanders' mandatory minicamp is scheduled to begin on June 16. Could we soon be seeing a resolution to this standoff?
If Washington really wants Aiyuk, it would certainly like him in the building sometime soon, so he can learn the offense, be examined by team doctors and spend time with his new coaches and teammates. So, would Commanders GM Adam Peters just send a late 2027 draft pick to San Francisco to get this over with?
Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report recently named six veterans who need a fresh start, and included Aiyuk on that list. Davenport names Washington as Aiyuk's potential destination, even offering up what terms of a trade could look like.
Washington Commanders Receive: WR Brandon Aiyuk, 2027 Round 6 Pick
San Francisco 49ers Receive: 2027 Round 5 Pick
Opinions are split on this one. Should Peters send a pick to the 49ers when everyone knows they will eventually release Aiyuk? You can bet that Peters, because of Daniels, knows pretty well what type of shape Aiyuk is in. He would also know how committed Aiyuk is to playing and turning his career around.
Everything depends on whether Peters believes Aiyuk will be fine if he comes in later in the summer. Perhaps he wants him in the building sooner, especially with a new offensive coordinator. But is that worth sending a draft pick to San Francisco?
Then, there's also the possibility that Washington could sign Stefon Diggs right now. Diggs, coming off a 1,000-yard season and seemingly wanting to play for his hometown team, could help the Commanders immediately. Peters has some decisions to make, but you can bet he's not done adding to the receiver room ahead of the 2026 season.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: What a Brandon Aiyuk trade could cost
Continue reading...
