Brandon Aiyuk hasn’t played a snap since 2024. He missed all of last season after a brutal knee injury midway through that year. But his name is buzzing again — not just because of rehab rumors, but because of what his teammate George Kittle said about him recently.
Kittle showed up on Pardon My Take and went to bat for Aiyuk’s talent. He talked about how he used to show up early to watch Aiyuk train, saw him hit 22 miles per hour on a sprint, stop on a dime. Kittle’s verdict: Aiyuk has “still got it.”
That’s a pretty strong endorsement from a guy who isn’t known for fluff. But JP Finlay of NBC4 Sports picked up on something else. He posted on X that Kittle’s comments tell him three things: Aiyuk is physically ready to play, he brings off-field noise, and — maybe most telling — the Niners players know Aiyuk is gone.
What Kittle’s quip actually reveals
The third point might be the most interesting. Kittle also said he wouldn’t be happy either if a team paid him $130 million. That’s a pointed reference to Aiyuk’s contract dispute and the discontent that’s been simmering. Even before the knee injury, Aiyuk was at the center of trade rumors while San Francisco and his camp couldn’t agree on a deal.
The Washington Commanders have been the most common landing spot floated in those rumors. And recently, Aiyuk added fuel to that fire. He posted a video on social media and said “Go Commanders” — a line that instantly got people talking. It could be nothing. It could be a hint. Either way, the internet ran with it.
Commanders could take a gamble
Let’s be real here. Aiyuk hasn’t played football in over a year. That’s a long time for any player, let alone one coming off a serious knee injury. But the Commanders have a clear need. Their offense struggled in 2025, and they could use a dynamic playmaker on the outside. Taking a flyer on Aiyuk — if the price is right — might be exactly the kind of swing they need to take.
It’s not like Washington has a ton of options. Big-name free agent wideouts don’t grow on trees. And Aiyuk, when healthy, is the kind of guy who can change how a defense plays you. Kittle’s comments suggest the talent hasn’t gone anywhere. The question is whether the body holds up and the off-field stuff settles down.
The Commanders start their season in early September. If Aiyuk is still available and the medicals check out, they’d be smart to at least make the call.
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