Brandon Aiyuk was once one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. He has since fallen out with his team and hasn’t played a game in a year and a half. Is he now signing with the Washington Commanders?

It has become increasingly clear in recent months that there is no other option for the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk but to part ways.

“ESPN” reporter Jeremy Fowler has now reported that several teams may be waiting for him to become a free agent so they won’t have to give up draft picks in a potential trade.

“This case is complicated because it’s basically a stalemate between the 49ers and Aiyuk,” Fowler explained on Sunday during the “SportsCenter” broadcast.

“He’s basically considered untradeable because of his bloated contract, plus he hasn’t participated in rehab with the team, and the situation has escalated quite a bit.”

He continued: “You’ve seen some of the Instagram videos. And if he shows up now and checks in with the team at any point, then they might be able to set the process in motion to release him or part ways with him in some way, which is to be expected at this point.”

Late Sunday night, the wide receiver posted a story on Instagram in which he said: “Hi everyone, I had a great Father’s Day. But before I lie down and go to sleep, I just wanted to say: Go Commanders, go Commanders, go Commanders!”

Aiyuk and Jayden Daniels know each other from their college days

Aiyuk already has a connection to the Commanders’ current quarterback, Jayden Daniels. In 2019, the two played for the Arizona State Sun Devils—during which time the wide receiver was the quarterback’s top target, racking up 1,192 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

Daniels threw for 2,943 yards and 17 touchdowns that season. While Aiyuk entered the draft and was selected by the 49ers in the first round, the quarterback stayed in Arizona for two more years before transferring to the LSU Tigers.

In his final season there, the then-23-year-old racked up 40 touchdowns and was selected second overall by the Commanders in the 2024 draft.

“Teams like Washington and others are currently looking for receivers—we know that Baltimore and Kansas City are a bit thin at that position,” Fowler said on “SportsCenter.” “Whoever shows interest probably won’t acquire him via trade but will wait until he becomes a free agent.”

He continued: “He won’t have the same market value as he did a few years ago, but as a former top-10 receiver, he could still offer added value.”

Aiyuk leads the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl

Aiyuk had signed a four-year contract worth up to $120 million in San Francisco after leading the team to the Super Bowl in the 2023 season with 1,342 receiving yards.

In the following season, the receiver suffered a torn ACL and MCL and has not played since.

Nick Wagoner of “ESPN” recently reported that “a dispute escalated last July when the 49ers voided the remaining guaranteed payments on his contract because he had not participated in rehabilitation for the torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus in his right knee.”

In addition, the team placed him on the “Reserve/Left Team” list in December, and General Manager John Lynch had previously stated that the receiver had played his last play for the team.

While a trade would be more advantageous for the 49ers—as it would allow them to receive compensation for the 28-year-old—this scenario is becoming increasingly unlikely due to Aiyuk’s constant headlines stemming from his social media videos.

In a since-deleted post, for example, he mocked the franchise: “You want to know why they’re actually so mad? They’re mad because they’re stupid. They’re mad because they paid me $50 million over eight months. And then voided my guarantees for 2027. And I’ll be playing for a new team in 2026. They’re mad at themselves.”

Brandon Aiyuk has posted another video on Instagram:

“You wanna know why they really mad tho? They mad because they’re stupid. They’re mad because they paid me $50M in 8 months. And then voided my guarantees for 2027. And I’m about to be on a new team in 2026. They’re mad at themselves.” https://t.co/A6zrHCAq53< /a> pic.twitter.com/HWFKsHJSjq

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 9, 2026

The Washington Commanders have a need at the wide receiver position

Given its connection to Daniels and the need for a strong wide receiver, Washington would be a logical destination. The Commanders’ top wide receiver from last season, Deebo Samuel, left the franchise for free agency after just one season.

The team signed two wide receivers in the offseason—Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson—but alongside them and Terry McLaurin, they still lack a top-tier player to round out the receiving corps.

Aiyuk was once such a player—but whether he can return to his former level after two years without game action or team practice is highly questionable.

The Commanders might take that risk, however, in order to contend for the top again after a very disappointing season.

In 2024, the franchise finished the season with a 12-5 record and made it to the Conference Championship game; this past season, however, they managed just five wins.