Mina Kimes Breaks Down Why Brandon Aiyuk to Washington Makes So Much Sense

ESPN’s Mina Kimes is pretty sure she knows what Brandon Aiyuk would look like in a Washington Commanders uniform. And she likes what she sees.

Appearing on NFL Live, Kimes laid out why the veteran wide receiver could be the missing piece for Jayden Daniels and the Commanders’ offense, assuming he’s still the same player after a serious injury.

“If he is anything even close to what he was in 2023, yeah. Yeah. Absolutely,” Kimes said. “Not just because of how good he was, but I think of the fit with Daniels.”

The fit question is the interesting one. Washington is expected to change its offensive identity under new coordinator David Glou. Kimes thinks that shift plays directly into Aiyuk’s strengths.

“I think we are assuming that with David Glou now calling the shots, this is gonna switch to a more under center, outside zone, play action centric offense,” she said. “And we have seen Aiyuk thrive as the boundary receiver. He wins downfield. He’s a good blocker, by the way, which is fundamental there.”

Aiyuk paired with Terry McLaurin would give Washington one of the more dangerous receiver duos in the league. Add in a third option like Antonio Williams or Traylon Burks, and suddenly that group looks legit.

But there’s a catch. And it’s a big one.

“But Laura, I can’t answer with any certainty that he’s gonna look like that now,” Kimes said. “It is one of the great unknowns of the NFL offseason.”

Aiyuk’s situation in San Francisco has gone from awkward to openly hostile. He’s publicly ripped the organization, said he doesn’t want to come back, and reports indicate he wants to end up in Washington. The problem? He’s still under contract with the 49ers after signing a four-year, $120 million extension in 2024.

The Commanders haven’t confirmed any deal is close. But the noise is loud enough that people around the league are paying attention. If Aiyuk can get back to being the downfield threat he was before the injury, and if the blocking and route-running come with him, Kimes thinks this could be a home run.

Whether that version of Aiyuk still exists is the question nobody can answer right now.