San Francisco 49ers star Brandon Aiyuk has been linked to trade rumors since before the 2024 NFL draft. Aiyuk has been at odds with the 49ers over his contract. The 2020 first-round pick is set to play on his fifth-year option in 2024 and slated for free agency in 2025.

The two sides have discussed a new contract but remain far apart. In the meantime, Aiyuk has flirted with playing for other teams, most notably the Washington Commanders. Aiyuk’s close friend, Jayden Daniels, was Washington’s second overall pick in the draft, and the two remain close.

The Commanders were reportedly interested in trading for Aiyuk at one time but didn’t meet the Niners’ asking price, which is believed to be significant.

In a new report from Pro Football Talk, Mike Florio said the Commanders and at least four other teams were willing to pay Aiyuk’s contract demands before the draft.

Regardless, there were five teams, we’re told, who were ready to pay Aiyuk what he wanted before the draft. If they could also reach acceptable trade terms with the 49ers, he would have been traded.

That part didn’t happen. It’s unclear what the 49ers wanted at the time. They rejected an offer of a second-round pick from the Patriots. Other interested teams were, and potentially still are, the Steelers and Commanders.

This is not a surprise. If Washington or any other team were going to give up the required compensation for Aiyuk, they would obviously plan on paying him what he was asking for.

Had the Commanders traded for Aiyuk and paid him, what would their wide receivers look like today? Would Terry McLaurin or Jahan Dotson have been included in the trade for Aiyuk? It’s doubtful the Commanders would’ve moved McLaurin. Not only is he a star on the field, but his importance in the locker room matters for a team starting over.

With training camp opening this week, we are back on the Aiyuk watch.