They haven’t traded for him yet, but the Washington Commanders don’t need to delay a deal for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk because of any concerns about his temperament. Not based on some surprising information about the former college teammate of Commanders star quarterback Jayden Daniels from an inside source.
The skinny comes from former 49ers executive and ex-Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon. He was director of pro personnel when the Niners made Aiyuk a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft.
Carthon explained to Grant Paulsen and Danny Rouhier of 106.7 The Fan that “one thing you don’t have to worry about with Aiyuk is he’s gonna work, ’cause he’s a natural worker. He’s quiet by nature, and by no means is he a bad person or a bad teammate. I don’t think you can find anybody that’ll say that. I just think Brandon is the type of guy that has principles, he has beliefs, and he has things that’s willing to stand on, and probably to a fault sometimes.”
Those words represent quite the endorsement of Aiyuk from somebody in the know. Carthon’s take goes against those who have voiced doubts about Aiyuk’s commitment.
Overlooking those doubts will be key to Washington general manager Adam Peters taking advantage of the Niners’ openness to trade. A willingness the Commanders are repeatedly urged to turn into a deal for the credible second receiver still missing from Daniels’ supporting cast.
Brandon Aiyuk Still Answers Need
Putting a dynamic alternative to five-time 1,000-yard receiver Terry McLaurin into the lineup remains an elusive priority for the Commanders. It didn’t work with another former 49ers wideout, All-Pro Deebo Samuel, last season, but Aiyuk is different.
The 28-year-old is younger and already boasts a rapport with Daniels, from their days at Arizona State. Trading for Aiyuk would surely make Daniels happy, but Peters and the Commanders must weigh any deal against the noise surrounding Aiyuk, much of it negative.
Some of the issues were spelled out by Matt Barrows and Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Barrows and Jhabvala noted how “Aiyuk hasn’t spoken to the media in more than a year; he has long preferred to send cryptic messages on social media, such as the one he posted in December of him speeding — 100 mph in a 40 mph zone — past Levi’s Stadium.”
Aiyuk subsequently apologised for the speeding incident via a message on his YouTube channel, but the 49ers have other grievances with the wideout. They include the franchise being “in no rush to do him any favors after an anguishing contract dispute in 2024 and his abandonment of the team a year later, which led to his salary guarantees being voided,” according to Barrows and Jhabvala.
Although the Commanders are named “the likeliest landing spot for Aiyuk,” Barrows and Jhabvala believe “Washington would likely consider a short-term, highly incentivized contract” to safeguard against any fallout from acquiring the player.
Ultimately, the Commanders will judge the risks of signing Aiyuk against their own belief in the other receivers on the roster. Including an intriguing member of the team’s 2026 NFL draft class.
Commanders Have Alternatives, Including Dynamic Rookie
Using a third-round pick to take Clemson’s Antonio Williams off the board showed the Commanders are aware of the need for fresh talent in the receiver room. Fresher than veteran Van Jefferson and the returning Dyami Brown, who were added on short-term deals during free agency.
Williams is an after-catch playmaker at his best stretching coverage from the slot. It’s the same role the Commanders expected recent draft picks Luke McCaffrey and Jaylin Lane to fill.
Still drafting new options for the position shows the problems the Commanders have had finding a receiver to take attention away from go-to perimeter target McLaurin. Aiyuk, who was a 1300-yard receiver in 2023, remains the upgrade the Commanders need.
Provided Peters and head coach Dan Quinn can be assured the move won’t bring with it any unwanted drama.
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