Commanders given Brandon Aiyuk WR solution by ESPN analyst

The Washington Commanders still need an upgrade to the wide receiver depth chart beyond Terry McLaurin.

And yet again, Brandon Aiyuk's name has come up.

The latest to call on Aiyuk is ESPN's Bill Barnwell, who wrote an article on Wednesday in which he identified Washington's remaining offseason need as being wide receiver.

"The Commanders brought back Dyami Brown on a one-year deal after an ill-fated season in Jacksonville, then added Van Jefferson on another one-year pact," Barnwell writes. "Treylon Burks flashed a bit in the second half after an injury-hit start to his career in Tennessee, and there have been moments from 2024 draftees Jaylin Lane and Luke McCaffrey. But there's a major drop-off on the depth chart from star Terry McLaurin to everyone else at wide receiver."

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Clearly, that's a bunch of guys who the Commanders are hoping can contribute in their own ways, but no surefire WR2.

Aiyuk, still yet to be officially released by the 49ers, would have the best chance of filling that role, even if he comes with some risk.

First, he has to get cut.

"The 49ers haven't yet cut Aiyuk in the hopes of landing a trade for their former first-round pick, whose future lays away from San Francisco after a bizarre past 18 months," Barnwell writes. "The 49ers voided Aiyuk's guarantees after he refused to rehab on the team's timeline, so while he is owed $26.2 million in 2026, none of that money is actually likely to go to the 27-year-old."

Because Aiyuk's money isn't guaranteed, the 49ers are in no rush whatsoever.

If the Commanders wait them out, though, they could add a talented player.

"The most realistic scenario would see the 49ers cut Aiyuk sometime between now and Week 1," Barnwell writes. "When they do, it would make all the sense in the world for Peters, a former 49ers executive, to sign Aiyuk, who racked up 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in his last full season before his right knee injury. While they probably don't want to pay Aiyuk all $26 million, a one-year deal for a smaller amount would make sense for both sides, with the Commanders adding a potential star wideout for nothing more than cash and Aiyuk getting a chance to prove himself away from San Francisco before hitting free agency."

There would certainly be risk in this move. But unless the Commanders want to draft a WR very high up the board, Aiyuk might be the best choice they've got remaining.

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