Commanders could swoop in to steal Brandon Aiyuk from Steelers

Please, for everyone's sanity, let this Brandon Aiyuk trade saga conclude. It has been by Adam Schefter by ESPN that the Aiyuk situation could come to a resolution at some point soon as time is running out, but as each day passes, that seems like it might not be the case. The Steelers remain a trade option for Aiyuk if he and the 49ers can't find a contract resolution.

Pittsburgh is just tired of hearing about these trade rumors as each team seems to be sitting still until someone budges. Either Aiyuk accepts San Francisco's offer, or they just hang onto him. Or they could just get exhausted and trade him. That offer has reportedly been two draft selections, a second and third-round picks. That is according to Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Other reports have claimed that Pittsburgh would be willing to send their second-round choice and another draft pick that is somewhere in the mid-round range. Either way, the 49ers seem fine with that deal and reports are out there that state the Steelers and Aiyuk have an extension already in place. Unless another team comes out of nowhere with a trade offer, it's between Pittsburgh and San Francisco.

With new draft capital, the Commanders could jump the Steelers offer

Silver appeared on KNBR and reported that the Washington Commanders are "back in play" for Aiyuk. It makes a ton of sense as the Commanders just shipped Jahan Dotson out to the Eagles for some picks. The only question surrounding this deal would be whether the 49ers want a receiver or some other roster player in return. That is the holdup with the Steelers trade package.

It would have made more sense for the 49ers to take Dotson back in a trade with some picks attached to the offer. Instead, Washington could be sending an extra high-end selection to compete with Pittsburgh's offer. There is a connection between the Commanders and Aiyuk ever since they took Jayden Daniels in the first round of this past draft.

Both Daniels and Aiyuk played college football together at Arizona State. They were able to have a strong campaign together and produce magnificent numbers. They remain good friends today, and it has kept the Commanders as a potential landing spot if Aiyuk were to be dealt. Washington could be hesitant to move draft picks, but it's not every day a receiver like this becomes available.

Now that the Commanders are armed with an extra third-round pick in the upcoming draft, they could blow Pittsburgh's proposal out of the water. They could move a second, and two third-round picks in the upcoming draft to spike the needle for the 49ers. They also have a ton of cap space to pay Aiyuk a significant pay hike over what the Steelers and 49ers are offering.

Daniels needs targets, and adding his friend could become enticing not only for Aiyuk but the trade offer for the 49ers could be better than Pittsburgh's. This is still a fluid situation, and many fans of the Steelers just want to see this drawn-out saga to conclude no matter if that means Aiyuk coming to Pittsburgh or not.