Brandon Aiyuk is trying to force his way out of San Francisco. The star wide receiver has made it clear he wants to play for Washington. But the Commanders just made a roster move and it’s not him.
Adam Schefter reported Sunday that free agent cornerback Rasul Douglas is signing a one-year deal with Washington worth up to $3.8 million. Douglas spent last season with the Dolphins where he started 13 games. He’s a former Eagles third-round pick from 2017 and now he’s coming back to the NFC East.
That’s a solid pickup for the secondary. Douglas has started 67 games in his career and knows the division. Washington needed depth at cornerback and they got a guy who’s been around and can play.
Aiyuk’s Situation Is Messy
Meanwhile Aiyuk is still in limbo. He’s technically on the reserve/left squad list which means he can’t just show up to camp and demand a trade. Per Mike Florio on PFT Live, Aiyuk’s first step will be filing an official petition for reinstatement with the NFL well before training camp starts. Only then can he actually push for a move.
He already fired his agent which Florio described as just the opening move in a longer strategy. That’s a big deal. Firing your agent when you’re trying to get traded isn’t something players do lightly. It usually means the relationship broke down or the agent wasn’t getting it done fast enough for the player’s liking.
The 49ers aren’t in a rush. Aiyuk is under contract and they control the situation. But if he refuses to play or becomes a distraction, that calculus changes. San Francisco has been here before with disgruntled stars and they usually end up trading them eventually. Deebo Samuel asked out a few years ago and got a new contract instead. But that was different. Deebo wanted money and got it. Aiyuk seems to want out specifically.
Why the Douglas Signing Matters
For Washington this is a low-risk move that fills an actual need. Douglas turns 30 this year but he’s still effective. He had two interceptions and seven pass breakups last season with Miami. He’s not a star but he’s the kind of veteran who stabilizes a secondary when injuries hit.
The Commanders still have cap space and draft capital if they want to make a bigger splash. Aiyuk would cost them a first-round pick plus a new contract worth probably $25 million a year. That’s a huge commitment for a team that’s still rebuilding. But Washington’s front office has been aggressive this offseason and nobody would be shocked if they made another move before camp.
For now though the only new face in the Washington locker room is a cornerback on a one-year deal. The Aiyuk drama will keep simmering in the background. And if the 49ers blink, things could get interesting fast.
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