Fowler doesn’t believe Commanders in on Aiyuk

According to The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero, the NFL has granted the 49ers a two-week roster exemption for Aiyuk as the two sides continue to negotiate his impending release. The 49ers will have until November 23rd to make a roster move, but once released, Aiyuk will be free to sign with any team. The 28-year-old receiver last played in 2024 and hasn’t taken a snap since tearing his ACL in Week 7 of that season. While there is a chance Aiyuk could suit up for a new team at some point this season, fantasy managers hoping to stash him shouldn’t expect anything meaningful until the fantasy playoffs at the earliest, as it could take him several weeks to find a new team and get up to speed with the season more than halfway over.

Aiyuk was rumored to end up in Washington all offseason and there seemingly could still be a fit there with Terry McLaurin out for the season. However, this report suggests the Commanders haven’t completely ruled it out rather than this being something they’re actively pursuing. Aiyuk met with 49ers brass Friday, though a resolution proved elusive. This saga is far from over.

Aiyuk and Rosenhaus met with the 49ers’ “big bosses” today to discuss an amicable solution to their multi-year conflict. Aiyuk seeks reinstatement, but under league rules, he owes the 49ers roughly $13 million in bonus forfeiture. The two sides met today, but evidently, things were not resolved. The saga continues. Stay tuned.

Pelissero calls this a “potential complication in [Aiyuk’s] efforts to secure his release by reporting to the facility Friday.” While it’s possible both sides reach a deal for Aiyuk to pay back that money, which would make this a non-issue, Pelissero said this could also end up going to arbitration, which may delay things. Aiyuk is scheduled to report to the 49ers’ facilities today, so we could have our answer in the next few hours about when this situation is resolved and Aiyuk has been granted his release. Aiyuk recently hired Drew Rosenhaus with the hopes of being reinstated into the league and with a new team soon. The 28-year-old last played in 2024.

Aiyuk’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed the development on Wednesday, and said Aiyuk would report to the 49ers on Friday. That could expedite his release from the team so he could seek employment with another, presumably wideout-needy NFL team. Aiyuk’s erratic behavior over the past year and questions about his conditioning could prevent some teams from pursuing him. “Brandon is healthy and ready to get back on the field,” Rosenhaus said. He had been closely linked to the Commanders before a series of online meltdowns in the offseason. The Rams could be in the market for Aiyuk with Davante Adams (hamstring) sidelined indefinitely. Aiyuk is still unlikely to have any fantasy value this season.

An entire offseason spent creating goofy Instagram videos in hopes of willing himself onto the Commanders’ roster didn’t go as Aiyuk had hoped. Instead, the 28-year-old receiver, who last played a snap in 2024, remains under contract with the 49ers after failing to apply for reinstatement, which remains the first step he would need to take if he hopes to be made available to other teams. The 49ers put a “left squad designation” on Aiyuk back in July, meaning while he remains under contract with the team, he does not count against the team’s 53-man roster. It seems unlikely he will remain with the Niners if/when he applies for reinstatement, meaning the team will either have to release him or find a trade suitor for him before this month’s deadline. It would be surprising if Aiyuk played a snap for any team in 2026.

Although Robinson will apparently undergo more testing, the “initial diagnosis” aspect seems like a formality at this point. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said he is “sure” the team will have to sign a wide receiver, “whether it’s a practice squad or to the roster.” For those curious, Shanahan was asked whether there was any chance of bringing back WR Brandon Aiyuk. Per Wagoner, Shanahan responded simply, “No.” That’s that. Expect Robinson to miss time, likely increasing WR Deebo Samuel’s involvement. No. 1 WR Mike Evans suffered a hip injury, though Shanahan did not seem to think it was serious.

Perhaps more notable is that Keim pointed out “other free agents don’t appear to be on their radar,” with Brandon Aiyuk presumably the “other” in this scenario. Diggs has long been linked to the Commanders as a potential fit, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported last week that “Washington is intriguing” to Diggs, so there’s a good chance some mutual interest exists. The Commanders’ receiver room is headlined by Terry McLaurin, but behind him is an unproven group in Jaylin Lane, Luke McCaffrey, Dyami Brown, and rookie Antonio Williams. It feels like only a matter of time before the Commanders eventually make a move to upgrade their receiving corps, and Diggs would provide a solid option opposite McLaurin after going for 85-1,013-4 with the Patriots last season.

For those who continue to follow the Niners/Aiyuk saga, this is no surprise. Aiyuk’s designation means he does not count against the 49ers’ 90-man roster for camp, and the designation requires him to apply to the NFL for reinstatement before he can be released or traded. Aiyuk has been active on his Instagram account, and appears to be trying to manifest a move to the Commanders to play with long-time friend and former college teammate Jayden Daniels, but the ball is ultimately in his court to take the steps necessary for anything to be facilitated. It was reported earlier this month by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that he “doesn’t think” the Commanders would be interested in Aiyuk if he were to come available. Aiyuk last played in 2024, posting a 25-374-0 line in seven games before suffering a torn ACL in Week 7.

Aiyuk, who is still under contract with the 49ers, continues to post highly erratic videos to social media platforms after a California judge issued a warrant for his arrest in early June following exhibitionist speeding past the 49ers stadium. Jhabvala said the posts could make it less likely that Aiyuk lands with Washington ahead of the regular season. It’s been nearly 20 months since Aiyuk was last on an NFL field. “What was once a seemingly minimal-risk option now appears more concerning,” Jhabvala said, adding that the Commanders would “have to feel incredibly confident that he’s fit, physically and emotionally, to not just sign, but be committed to what they’re trying to build.” That appears more unlikely with every unhinged Instagram video. Aiyuk, 28, said on June 25 that he would “sign with the Commanders” tomorrow if the Niners cut him from their roster.