​The Washington Commanders are the only team currently tied to Brandon Aiyuk in widespread chatter about a potential landing spot, and the player has recently signaled he would welcome a move to Washington. But if Washington decides not to pull the trigger, could another team pursue Aiyuk through a trade or if the 49ers eventually part with him? Any outside interest would likely hinge on finding a veteran-friendly locker room to manage any off-field issues.
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski suggests the Kansas City Chiefs as a logical alternative if Washington passes. His proposed deal would send a 2027 sixth-round pick to San Francisco in exchange for Aiyuk and a seventh-round pick. Sobleski argues that Kansas City cannot operate the same way they did in 2025 and still needs to address the wide receiver spot, noting that Cyrus Allen was drafted this year and could exceed expectations, while Rashee Rice’s reliability is uncertain, Xavier Worthy is still developing, and Tyquan Thornton hasn’t produced consistently.
Sobleski also explains why Aiyuk would fit well with the Chiefs. He contends that a healthy Aiyuk would relieve pressure on Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, which is especially valuable as Mahomes, coming off a torn ACL and LCL, is not at his peak. He notes that Kansas City placed too much on Mahomes last season, contributing to his struggles, and argues the Chiefs are willing to take a risk on talent despite significant concerns.
NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco weighs in on Aiyuk’s future, suggesting that whether the Commanders, Chiefs, or another team becomes involved, Aiyuk could be nearing the end of his time with the 49ers. Maiocco pointed out that Washington’s general manager Adam Peters is familiar with Aiyuk, while head coach Dan Quinn would not be as familiar with him.