Commanders Expected To Sign Brandon Aiyuk To One-Year Deal

Jonathan Jones writes the expectation is for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk to sign a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders after he’s formally released. 

Jones specifically said “when” Aiyuk is cut and signs with Washington, and that it “will” be a one-year deal. It’s definitive language from someone who’s aware of the distinction between that and different phrasing. 

Washington has come up often as a landing spot for Aiyuk due to his relationship with QB Jayden Daniels dating back to when both played at Arizona State. He wanted to be traded to the Commanders in 2024 before re-signing with San Francisco. 

Jones also adds the Commanders are expected to make other moves and not count just on Aiyuk as the No. 2 receiver.

ESPN’s Nick Wagoner said earlier today the Commanders are the most likely landing spot for Aiyuk once the 49ers release him with a post-June 1 designation, which can happen as soon as today.   

The embattled wide receiver suffered a horrific knee injury midway through the 2024 season and has not played since, despite the expectation that he would be able to return in the latter half of the 2025 season.

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch have both publicly said that Aiyuk has played his last snap for their team, which is unusually forthright about the future of one of their former star players. Throughout the offseason and into the season itself, Aiyuk’s relationship with the organization deteriorated to the point where he was ignoring calls from the coaching staff and had cut off all contact with the 49ers.

It’s a pretty unprecedented situation in recent NFL history. In 2024, San Francisco signed him to a four-year, $120 million deal with a $30 million average per year. Reports since then indicated the 49ers had pretty immediate buyer’s remorse, and the torn ACL didn’t help matters. He was available on the trade market last summer, but due to the injury and salary, there were no takers. 

Aiyuk, 28, was a one-year starter at Arizona State and earned first-team All-Pac 12 in his final season. The 49ers traded up with the Vikings to select him with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. 

He signed a four-year, $12,531,342 rookie contract that included a $6,673,703 signing bonus. The 49ers picked up his fifth-year option last year that cost them $14,124,000 fully guaranteed for the 2024 season. 

Aiyuk officially agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension that includes $76 million guaranteed after a lengthy period in which he was nearly traded to the Steelers.

In 2024, Aiyuk appeared in seven games for the 49ers and caught 23 passes for 351 yards receiving and no touchdowns.

We’ll have more on Aiyuk as the news is available.