49ers' George Kittle shares strong Brandon Aiyuk message amid Commanders rumors

On Sunday, current San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk took to social media and seemed to tease that he at least wants to join the Washington Commanders at some point before the 2026 NFL regular season begins in September. 

During the latest edition of the "Pardon My Take" program, 49ers tight end George Kittle discussed the Aiyuk situation that may be resolved before July comes to an end. 

George Kittle doesn't "really know" what Brandon Aiyuk could offer a team

"The last time I saw Aiyuk was, call it Week 6, 7, or 8. I don't really know," Kittle said about his interactions with his now-teammate last season, per David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone. "I used to make it a habit of mine to go out early in the morning before meetings to watch him train because he'd always be out there early, and I watched him run over 22 miles an hour and stop on a dime. So, he's still got it, or at least that was a year — or eight months —ago, so I don't really know."

Aiyuk signed a four-year, $120M extension in the summer of 2024 before he suffered a serious knee injury in October of that year. He hasn't played in a meaningful game since he went down with the initial setback, and the 49ers later voided the remaining guaranteed money attached to his contract because he allegedly didn't participate in rehab sessions related to his injury. 

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk and others think the 49ers may choose to release Aiyuk if the 28-year-old reports for training camp in late July. Otherwise, the 49ers would risk being on the hook for more than $26M if he were permitted to practice with the team and suffered another season-ending injury. According to the NFL's website, veteran 49ers players are set to report for training camp on July 25. 

George Kittle shares Brandon Aiyuk warning for Commanders, other teams

Kittle joked that he "wouldn’t be happy either after a team paid me $130M" when asked if Aiyuk would be pleased to eventually no longer be with the Niners. 

"But you guys have fun with that, I guess," Kittle added about the Commanders or any other team taking a chance on acquiring Aiyuk. "...You have fun with all that comes with it."

The perception exists that Commanders general manager Adam Peters, who was working for the 49ers when San Francisco drafted Aiyuk in 2020, will feel comfortable taking a flier on the veteran receiver. It's also assumed that Peters has heard good things about Aiyuk from Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, Aiyuk's teammate at Arizona State.

As of the fourth Monday of June, it seems to outsiders that Peters and other league executives are fine with waiting for the 49ers to complete a transaction that would allow Washington or any other team to sign Aiyuk without having to give up anything via a trade.