The Commanders will soon have an opportunity to add a playmaker, but it could be a move that backfires

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Josh Taylor | Last updated Jan 21, 2026 8:52 PM ET

The Washington Commanders will have plenty of changes to the roster this offseason, and general manager Adam Peters needs to be aggressive.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels needs support on both sides of the ball, but especially better weapons to throw to. There will be plenty of opportunities for the Commanders to pursue before the NFL Draft, but not all of them will be the right move to make. They could be too aggressive in their search; however, if they end up pursuing WR Brandon Aiyuk, who will soon be available after recent remarks by the San Francisco 49ers.

The San Francisco 49ers say Brandin Aiyuk has played his last snaps on the team

The situation between Aiyuk and the 49ers has been a headscratcher that even the team doesn't fully understand, but it sounds like a breakup will finally be happening soon. During their end of the year press conference, general manager John Lynch says that it is very likely that Aiyuk has played his final snaps as a 49er, which you don't say unless it's exactly what will happen.

John Lynch on Brandon Aiyuk:

“I think it’s safe to say that he’s played his last snap with the Niners. It’s unfortunate. A situation that just went awry. I will look long and hard at what could have been done differently, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out.” pic.twitter.com/OO9MGKv1Zc
— Coach Yac (@Coach_Yac) January 21, 2026

Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120 million extension back in August of 2024, and he tore his ACL and MCL just two months later. The holdout for his contract seemed to put a strain on both parties, and the relationship was never the same. Now, the 49ers are ready to move on, and so is Aiyuk after having over $25 million of his guarantees voided from his contract. A release is the likeliest move to happen, and a trade seems off the table. A move could happen in the next few weeks, and the Commanders will need to make a decision.

Should the Commanders make a push for Brandon Aiyuk?

The Commanders honestly need another outside WR and a starting slot WR this offseason, so they definitely have the need. Aiyuk will obviously love to come play with Daniels again, as they did at Arizona State, and like he teased many times during his contract holdout. Giving Daniels a familiar weapon makes a ton of sense if it were guaranteed to work out, but it won't be.

The downfall of Aiyuk has been shocking, and he pretty much ghosted the team. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said he made multiple attempts to reach out to Aiyuk to see why he wasn't with the team anymore, and he never got a response.

Kyle Shanahan calls the Brandon Aiyuk situation “confusing” and something he’s never seen in his 22 years coaching in the NFL.

“Communication stopped for me when I tried getting a hold of him and couldn’t. Tried a couple more times and still couldn’t. #FTTB pic.twitter.com/DDYuFirgmT
— NinerStats (@NinerStats) January 21, 2026

How Aiyuk handled the situation by just quitting on the team is a giant red flag that the Commander needs to take into consideration, and it could happen again if things don't go the right way. Washington can't afford to pay him a decent-sized contract like the 49ers did, just to be stuck with it after a year or so. The Commanders' best bet will likely be swinging at a free agent like Romeo Doubs or Alec Pierce, or drafting another WR to develop.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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