As Brandon Aiyuk’s trade standoff intensifies, Washington remains patient. The Commanders are reportedly bypassing trade talks, waiting for the 49ers to release the star receiver before pursuing a reunion.
The latest update on Brandon Aiyuk's dramatic attempt at splitting from the San Francisco 49ers doesn't bode well for the former All-Pro wide receiver.
Aiyuk has tried countless tactics to get the Niners to set him free, but ironically, it seems that he grows further from his desired outcome the harder he pushes.
The 28-year-old hasn't suited up for San Francisco in well over a year at this point. Everyone in the football world knew Aiyuk wanted out even before he went on a social media tirade hurling insults at the franchise.
And all those antics appear to be partially preventing his preferred next team, the Washington Commanders, from offering any assets in return. Sure, Washington hopes that, given the leverage, it'll eventually get Aiyuk for nothing, since the Niners are likely to release him.
But we still don't yet know when the organization will actually cut Aiyuk loose. What we do know now, courtesy of NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, is that a trade is nowhere near in sight.
"I’ll use this end of things to tell you that the Washington Commanders are not looking to press for Brandon Aiyuk. And my understanding is if he becomes a free agent, they will then take a look at Brandon Aiyuk and the possibility of bringing him in and reuniting him with Jayden Daniels," Garafolo said.
Aiyuk's relationship with Washington's star quarterback is well-documented and dates back to the duo's time at Arizona State together in 2019.
"If the 49ers let him go at some point, and that could be before training camp, but Aiyuk sorta has to force the issue here. And then at that point, I would say it is extremely likely he winds up in Ashburn, but a couple of steps until we get there," Garafolo continued.
At this point, there really doesn't seem to be anything that would force GM John Lynch's hand. Unfortunately for Aiyuk, he's burned a bridge with the exact people who'd be able to grant him his wishes, while leaving them with little reason to act quickly.
That's not a good situation for Aiyuk to find himself in, to say the least.
While a conclusion to this saga is expected to come before the Niners report to training camp next month, that's as close of a timeline as we have.
Lynch has no desire to trade Aiyuk, nor has much motivation to release him. Aiyuk is fully at San Francisco's mercy for the time being, which is ironic given how we got to this point.
