Jayden Daniels could likely get his wish this offseason as Commanders will be big favorites to land Brandon Aiyuk
Jayden Daniels could finally be reunited with Brandon Aiyuk.
The Washington Commanders are on their bye week with a 3-8 record, but there’s no shortage of news, as always.
There are still plenty of matchups to watch around the league that can change the Commanders’ order in the 2026 NFL draft, and even an interesting story that has a deep connection to Jayden Daniels. The roster needs a lot of help on both sides of the ball this offseason, and luckily, the Commanders will be the heavy favorites to sign a newly available player who is best friends with Daniels.
The ties with the San Francisco 49ers could continue, as wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk could very likely be heading to Washington this offseason as a free agent.
San Francisco 49ers likely to release Brandon Aiyuk this offseason
The marriage between the 49ers and Aiyuk has actually been falling apart for a while now, but it seems like a real separation is in the near future for the two. He signed a four-year, $120 million extension just 15 months ago, but now Aiyuk is likely to be released after the season due to the fallout.
Aiyuk has been rehabbing his severe knee injury for over a year, and his displeasure with the team has heated up recently. His dramatic holdout likely strained his relationship with the 49ers, after posting clips and appearances with Daniels and talking about trade rumors to the Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers. The relationship has only gotten worse, as the 49ers have reportedly voided Aiyuk’s 2026 guarantees worth over $25 million for skipping team meetings and activities, and going rogue on the team.
He decided not to dispute the 49ers’ voiding of his 2026 guaranteed money, which signals that a release is likely when the season ends, and he will be a free agent looking for a new team.
Jayden Daniels could likely reunite with Brandon Aiyuk
Aiyuk, not disputing losing over $25 million, suggests he doesn’t care about the money right now and just wanted out of San Francisco. This means that the Commanders will be heavy favorites to land the wide receiver since they won’t need to trade for him, and he’s free to sign wherever he wants. His top option will be going back to his best friend, and former Arizona State quarterback, as they talked about before.
Everyone remembers how Aiyuk posted a screenshot of Daniels at the Commanders’ practice, the two appearing on the show “The Pivot” together, and all their social media posts together. Aiyuk’s holdout really heated up trade rumors with the Commanders, which didn’t happen, but it could now with an easy pathway.
Medicals on his knee and the price to sign him will certainly be major factors, but he was expected to come back in September and will have plenty of time to recover by next season. Daniels could help get the friendly discount for Aiyuk, who showed that missing out on money doesn’t matter much anymore if he can play where he wants.
The Commanders could move on from Terry McLaurin after next season, and they also have a decision to make with Deebo Samuel this offseason. Regardless, the offense needs playmakers after struggling with injuries. Getting Aiyuk wouldn’t require a draft pick, could be cheap, and wouldn’t stop the Commanders from still drafting another young receiver. The Commanders will be the clear favorites to sign Aiyuk this offseason, and Daniels would be happy to finally be back with his guy.
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