Schefter on Brandon Aiyuk: ‘There were some conversations at one point between the 49ers and Commanders’

Another day, another rumor involving San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. This one comes via ESPN’s Adam Schefter involving a trade with the Washington Commanders, who have a general manager who played a hand in drafting Aiyuk. This report comes a day after Aiyuk requested a meeting with the 49ers.

According to Schefter, the talks did not reach a point where a deal became close: “There were some conversations at one point between the 49ers and Commanders. Commanders were interested, but they decided not to do that deal.”

With the 36th pick in the second round, Washington had a prime opportunity to bolster their wide receiver corps. This was the range where some speculated that even Deebo Samuel could be on the trading block. However, the Commanders, led by Peters, opted for a different strategy, selecting Jer’Zhan Newton, a defensive tackle out of Illinois.

They had three second-round draft picks but didn’t wind up taking a wideout until the 100th pick in the draft— a player who also has ties to the Niners, Luke McCaffrey. Washington waiting nearly two rounds after where a projected trade would’ve taken place might be telling about how far off a deal between both sides was to getting done.

Aiyuk has a close friendship with Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, so it’s not far-fetched that a trade could’ve happened. We should also note that just because the 49ers entertained the idea of trading Aiyuk doesn’t mean they are or were actively shopping him.

Aiyuk commented on the matter: