The Washington Commanders head into the 2026 offseason with an array of questions. Coming off a season in which the team currently stands at 4–11—following an almost unfathomable fall from grace after 2024’s playoff success—the team is in dire straits and in need of a talent influx.

Yes, you can attribute the failures of this season to injuries, and rightfully so, but the team must also be proactive in building for the future. One of the more critical mistakes of the last offseason was the reliance on wide receiver Noah Brown. General Manager Adam Peters felt safe pegging the veteran as the team’s clear-cut WR2 this season. As the campaign unfolded, it was clear that this was a mistake. Brown ended the season with only four game appearances and a total of 77 snaps. His 2025 production was underwhelming, finishing with just 10 targets for five catches and 83 yards.

It is clear that the team must improve this position for next season, but how do they do it? A common name being discussed is current San Francisco 49er Brandon Aiyuk, whose departure from "The Bay" seems all but certain. There are obvious ties to why he would be welcomed in DC due to his prior relationship and game experience with current Commanders QB Jayden Daniels. Let’s look at the pros and cons to determine if he would indeed be a good fit.

The most obvious pro is that Aiyuk and Daniels shared a college campus in 2019 and thrived together. While at Arizona State, Aiyuk had his most successful season in college, compiling 65 catches, 1,192 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. In fact, nearly half of Daniels’ 17 touchdown passes that year went to Aiyuk, illuminating the strong connection the pair shared.

As Aiyuk transitioned to San Francisco, he continued to thrive. Selected at number 25 in the 2020 draft, he became an immediate contributor to Kyle Shanahan's offense. He peaked in 2023 with 75 receptions for a whopping 1,342 yards, earning Second-Team All-Pro honors. Over his first four years in the league, Aiyuk produced a yearly average of 99.8 targets, 67.3 receptions, 982.8 yards, and 6.3 touchdowns—stats worthy of a true WR1. What’s even more staggering is that in 2023, he averaged a career-high 17.9 yards per reception. All of these metrics make Aiyuk extremely desirable and a clear upgrade over what Washington currently has.

Although Aiyuk hit the ground running in SF, his career has hit significant speed bumps over the last 14 months. Prior to the 2024 season, Aiyuk’s high-profile contract hold-in limited his practice time and rhythm. While he eventually signed a four-year, $120 million extension, he struggled early, failing to record a touchdown in any of his seven appearances.

Then, during a Week 7 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 20, 2024, Aiyuk suffered a severe knee injury, tearing both his ACL and MCL. That game was essentially his last for San Francisco. The injury required a lengthy rehabilitation, during which friction grew with the 49ers over his rehab process.

In December 2025, after growing frustration, the 49ers placed Aiyuk on the Reserve/Left Squad list—a rare designation for players who essentially "quit" or walk away from the team. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan shared that he had not spoken to Aiyuk for nearly a month and described him as “extremely distant.” This dismissal voided $27 million in guaranteed money for the 2026 season and essentially paved the way for his release this offseason.

Finally, there is the concern of maturity. On December 20, 2025, Aiyuk posted a video to his YouTube channel showing him driving over 104 mph past Levi’s Stadium. He later issued a public apology, but the incident raised serious questions regarding his professionalism during a critical recovery period.

Considering the pros and cons, I am not vehemently opposed to adding Brandon Aiyuk to the Commanders, but I am wary. His production was undeniable in San Francisco, but does that player still exist?

While some argue his injuries are a thing of the past, an ACL/MCL tear is significant and may have zapped some of his "superpowers." Furthermore, he hasn't seen live NFL action since October 2024. Because he hasn't practiced or played in over a year, a sluggish start should be expected.

His maturity issues raise an eyebrow as well. While in San Francisco, his team saw immense success; from 2021–2024, the 49ers compiled a 41–27 record and made the playoffs three times—including two NFC Championship appearances and a trip to the Super Bowl. Despite a 6–3 postseason record and being surrounded by winning, he was still unhappy. How will he behave if the season goes awry in DC? It’s a question worth asking.

That being said, the talent is there. If Aiyuk were to come to DC on a one-year "prove-it" deal, I wouldn’t be opposed to it. Odell Beckham Jr. received a one-year, $15M contract with Baltimore in 2023 after a missed season; a similar structure would be fair for Aiyuk. This would enable the team to assess Aiyuk’s current skillset and his assimilation into the “brotherhood” in DC. It would serve as a one-year trial period—no harm, no foul.

However, the team shouldn't depend on him as the primary WR2 immediately. They must layer the position with ancillary talent—perhaps through the NFL Draft with Carnell Tate or Aiyuk's fellow Sun Devil Jordyn Tyson, or a reliable veteran like Alec Pierce. Only then would I feel comfortable with Aiyuk as an offseason addition. Depending on Aiyuk as the centerpiece is playing with fire, but as a high-upside addition to a rebuilt room, it's a gamble worth taking.