NFL Trade Rumors: Washington Commanders picked for $60M San Francisco 49ers wide receiver

Back in December 2025, when San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about their NFL’s Reserve/Left Squad-listed wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s absence, the coach said, “I mean, haven’t seen him in forever.

That’s the decision they make. It’s been pretty simple for me. I haven’t seen him in a month, and same with our team. So, that hasn’t been an issue with our team at all. We’ve been plugging away, and no big deal, or it’s just something we’ve been used to for a while.” Months later, an ESPN analyst names Aiyuk suitable for a different franchise. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell released a list of 20 contenders needing help at specific positions [QB, WR, etc]. One of them was Jayden Daniels’ Washington Commanders, who could do well with 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Commanders predicted for 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk

Barnwell names Washington general manager Adam Peters as the peaceful connecting link between San Francisco and Aiyuk. Peters is a former 49ers executive. And Aiyuk collected 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in the last season he played before his knee injury. Plus, the contract dispute could finally be resolved. But first, what was the dispute?The Niners negotiated a contract dispute with the star wideout by signing him to a four-year, $120 million extension in Aug.

2024. In Oct. 2024, he suffered a season-ending injury. San Francisco placed him on the Unable to Perform list in July 2025. Then he failed to attend meetings and participate in team activities. The Niners grew frustrated with his lack of communication.In Nov. 2025, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and Michael Silver reported that the Niners and the wide receiver were headed for a split.According to The Athletic’s sources, as a result of Aiyuk’s absences, San Francisco voided his 2026 contract’s guaranteed money.

The wideout told the NFLPA that he won’t fight back through an official grievance.Cut to the present, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell offers a permanent solution to this Niners-Aiyuk feud. The Niners did not cut Aiyuk because they hope to land a trade for their first-round pick. After an 18-month turmoil, his future is away from the franchise.Barnwell reports the team voided the wide receiver’s guaranteed money because he refused to rehab on the team’s timeline.

So even though he is owed $26.2M of the 2026 contract, none of it would likely go to the wideout.

Washington GM Adam Peters can sign San Francisco star wideout

Insider Adam Schefter reports that San Francisco is in no hurry for Aiyuk’s farewell. But all parties accept that Aiyuk won’t play for the 49ers in the 2026 season. They can wait and watch for any other franchise to land Aiyuk in exchange for a late-round pick. Catch?Aiyuk’s new team may have to pay him the guaranteed money he lost or enter into a new contract with him, making a trade unlikely.

However, Barnwell offers a realistic solution to both: San Francisco should cut their wide receiver between now [March 18] and Week 1. When it does, Peters can sign the wideout.Washington may not have to pay the wideout all $26 million, but a one-year deal for a smaller amount would make sense for both sides. Commanders acquire a potential start wideout in his prime for nothing but cash, and the wideout gets a chance to prove his worth away from his parent franchise, all the while staying well under the frame of hitting free agency.According to Spotrac, Aiyuk is projected to sign a one-year, $12M contract, which gives him an average annual income of $12M. His career earnings are $60M.Anyhow, with Aiyuk’s farewell nearing, there is someone from his franchise who is still thinking about him.

49ers tight end George Kittle checked on wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk

Niners star tight end George Kittle recently shared in the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast that he checked on Aiyuk during the wideout’s rehab days. But Kittle said that Aiyuk would only go to the weight room for rehab; he would not go into the locker room or the training room.Kittle kept telling him that he loved him and that he was there if he needed anything, but then stories surfaced about a growing rift between the organization and Aiyuk. After that, Kittle did not see him again.