The Commanders' response has been silence, and the most concrete reporting explains why.
Per Matt Barrows and Nick Jhabvala of The Athletic, Washington is viewed around the league as being steadfast in its unwillingness to work out a trade for Aiyuk.
The team's plan, if it pursues him at all, is to wait for his release and sign him as a free agent.
The Distinction That Matters
This is not the same as Washington being completely out on Aiyuk.
It is Washington refusing to surrender any draft capital or take on his existing contract through a trade.
The 49ers' preference would be to execute a trade and recoup draft compensation for a player they gave a $30 million-per-year investment in 2024.
Suitors, on the other hand, are positioned to simply wait for a release and approach Aiyuk as a free agent with no acquisition cost.
Brandon Aiyuk dropped another video
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) June 27, 2026
• He talks about firing his agent
• He calls the 49ers creepy predators
• He says John Lynch pulled up to his house unannounced
• He said John Lynch apologized to him for how Kyle Shanahan acted towards him
• He says Kyle Shanahan… pic.twitter.com/pV5acGPiBe
Washington is firmly in that second camp.
Barrows and Jhabvala added that the Commanders are eyeing a short-term deal laden with incentives if and when Aiyuk hits the open market, an approach that protects them from the financial and reputational risk of the receiver's current contract and conduct.
Why Washington Stays Quiet
Because Aiyuk remains under contract with San Francisco, the Commanders cannot publicly express interest without violating the NFL's tampering rules.
That explains why general manager Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, and quarterback Jayden Daniels have all deflected when asked about Aiyuk's status.
When a reporter asked Daniels where Aiyuk fits on the team, his answer was simply that he did not know.
Oh Boy: Brandon Aiyuk’s NFL career might be over after his constant disrespectful comments aimed at the 49ers on Instagram.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 28, 2026
NFL teams, including the Commanders, will be wary of adding Aiyuk to their roster.
San Fransico has paid Brandon over $60 million.
(via @MaioccoNBCS) pic.twitter.com/fz9egCIurg
There is a lot of connection underpinning the speculation.
Peters spent seven years in the 49ers' front office before taking over in Washington in 2024 and was in San Francisco when Aiyuk was drafted, while Daniels is Aiyuk's close friend and former Arizona State teammate.
But, the longer this drags on, the more Washington could be having second thoughts, with Peters' relationships with John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan potentially making him hesitant to take on a player who burned those same bridges.
The Bigger Picture
Aiyuk has not played since tearing his ACL, MCL, and meniscus in October 2024 and missed all of 2025 after his relationship with the 49ers collapsed.
He remains on the reserve/left squad list and has not yet filed for reinstatement, a procedural step required before he could even join a new team.
The 49ers are expected to release him rather than risk him suffering a season-ending injury that would guarantee his more than $26 million owed for 2026.
When that release comes, Washington remains his most likely destination.
Just not through a trade.
