What are the chances Brandon Aiyuk lands with the Commanders?

When the San Francisco 49ers agreed to a multi-year contract extension with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk before the 2024 season, the long-rumored chance of a reunion with Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was over.

Aiyuk and the 49ers agreed to a new four-year deal worth $120 million, making him one of the NFL's highest-paid wide receivers.

Unfortunately, less than two months after signing the extension, Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and MCL in October, ending his season. The knee injury was severe enough that Aiyuk began the 2025 season on the physically unable to perform list.

Apparently, while Aiyuk was out injured, San Francisco was displeased with his lack of participation, including skipping team-supervised rehab sessions. So, last month, the 49ers revealed they would void the remainder of the guarantees on his contract, something Aiyuk did not intend to fight.

It's a complicated situation. And while the Niners have Aiyuk under contract for multiple seasons, it seems difficult that the two sides could repair that relationship. Head coach Kyle Shanahan seemed optimistic, but he also may have been giving the PR response.

"Oh, I’m definitely still hopeful," Shanahan said on KNBR, via David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com. "I’m not counting on it, but I’m definitely still hoping that can happen."

A reunion with the 49ers does seem unlikely for many reasons. That doesn't mean San Francisco will cut him. They could play hardball and trade Aiyuk, even if they know the return will not match the talent. Aiyuk certainly wants free agency.

Here's what ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler said about a potential match between Aiyuk and the Commanders.

One team to potentially watch for Aiyuk is Washington. He is close with quarterback Jayden Daniels, his former teammate at Arizona State. And general manager Adam Peters — a John Lynch disciple from his time in San Francisco — understands the Aiyuk experience well.

Aiyuk and Daniels are close. They were teammates during Daniels' freshman season at Arizona State before Aiyuk left for the NFL draft. They've remained close through the years, working out and spending time together in the offseason. Before signing his extension, Aiyuk teased playing for the Commanders multiple times, including in interviews, in 2024.

Peters does know Aiyuk well. He was a part of the San Francisco front office when it selected Aiyuk in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. Peters was with the 49ers for Aiyuk's first four NFL seasons.

Aiyuk is still only 27. While there are concerns about his knee injury until he proves there shouldn't be, he'd be a massive get for the Commanders.

This is shaping up to be an interesting — and pivotal — offseason for Peters and the Commanders.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Insider on potential match with Brandon Aiyuk