Another opportunity to trade for Brandon Aiyuk exists for the Washington Commanders, and former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Robert Griffin III has pushed his former team to seize this opportunity.
On Tuesday, July 16, Aiyuk requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, who stated, “Aiyuk has respectfully asked out because the Niners haven’t been willing to engage in negotiations since May, despite a recent meeting.”
Not long after the trade request was officially announced, former Washington quarterback RGIII posted on X to express his support for a potential trade. Griffin thinks it would be ideal for Jayden Daniels, the second-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, to acquire Aiyuk. Daniels is expected to be the franchise quarterback the Commanders need.
As he stated, “Giving Jayden Daniels Terry McLaurin, Brandon Aiyuk, Jahan Dotson, Luke McCaffrey, Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, and Zach Ertz would FEED FAMILIES in DC,” Griffin previously had to shoulder this burden.
For the Commanders, trading for Aiyuk is a plan that isn’t going away this summer. Because of his relationship with Daniels, the player is amenable to a move, and the team has even held conversations with the 49ers in the past.
It will not be simple to persuade the Niners to make a trade. Not when the Super Bowl runner-ups from the previous season seem intent on keeping Aiyuk on the team.
The Commanders saw Aiyuk as a natural fit. especially considering that in 2019 he played alongside Daniels at Arizona State.
While Aiyuk hasn’t held back when it comes to promoting a reunion, the 49ers are under no obligation to grant the player’s requests. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers have no intention of dealing disgruntled wide receiver Brandon Ayiuk, which is something that other clubs that have contacted San Francisco about have been informed about.
History indicates that the 49ers will likely remain fast, as Schefter also noted: “The 49ers have had players like Robbie Gould and Deebo Samuel also request trades before reaching deals with both players.” Instead of trading Brandon Ayiuk, the 49ers want to keep him.
It’s possible that the 49ers won’t back down, but one thing is for certain: there won’t be any quick resolution to the rumors surrounding an Aiyuk and Commanders trade. Adding Aiyuk to an already exciting group of skill players would provide Daniels with one of the NFL’s most dynamic supporting casts, so the possibility should at least remain on the table.
Griffin understands the importance of having the appropriate weapons surrounding a rookie signal-caller.
Although Washington gave up the farm to get RG3 as the second pick in the 2012 draft, the team had plenty of quality surrounding him. included tight end Fred Davis, running back Alfred Morris, and wide receivers Pierre Garcon, Santana Moss, and Josh Morgan.
Daniels will have an arguably more formidable crew surrounding him. Wideouts Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, running backs Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr., and tight end Zach Ertz are all members of his supporting cast.
Aiyuk’s addition would transform a deep group of capable playmakers into a potent combination of versatility and explosiveness. Schefter (h/t George Carmi of Full Press NFL) claims that this could be the reason the Commanders approached the 49ers about a trade earlier in the offseason but ultimately decided against making a deal.
At minimum, the Commanders have the luxury to consider the notion again because they have $36,216,567 worth of space under the salary ceiling, according to Spotrac.com. If Aiyuk is able to get some movement out of the 49ers, then doing so will make sense.
The rookie would have the best opportunity of rapidly living up to high expectations if he were to land a QB-friendly target that Daniels knows well.
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