Could Jahan Dotson’s Trade Signal a Move for Brandon Aiyuk by the Commanders?

On Sunday, Jahan Dotson was the focal point of a short pass from Jayden Daniels during the Washington Commanders’ second preseason game. However, just four days later, Dotson was surprisingly traded to the rival Philadelphia Eagles. Initially, this move appeared to be a straightforward exchange of a former first-round pick for some future late-round selections, seemingly indicating a lack of fit with the team’s new coaching staff. But this trade might be more strategic than it first appears, potentially setting the stage for a deal involving Brandon Aiyuk.

Included in the trade for Dotson was a future third-round pick, which could play a crucial role in a potential acquisition of Aiyuk from the San Francisco 49ers. Aiyuk, who has been holding out due to a contract dispute, remains a key player for the 49ers. Washington and Aiyuk have been linked together ever since Aiyuk expressed a preference for joining either the Commanders or the Pittsburgh Steelers if a trade were to occur. Aiyuk’s interest in reuniting with Daniels, his former college teammate at Arizona State, adds another layer to this speculation.

With over $37 million in cap space, the Commanders are well-positioned to pursue Aiyuk if the 49ers are open to negotiations. One player who might be of interest to San Francisco in such a deal is Dyami Brown, a four-year wideout who had a notable 42-yard catch from Daniels in Washington’s preseason opener. Although it would be ideal for the Commanders to retain Brown and potentially explore other options like rookie Luke McCaffrey, it’s clear that the 49ers are seeking a player who can contribute similarly to Aiyuk. Losing Brown would be a setback, but adding Aiyuk to a receiving corps that already includes Terry McLaurin could be a significant boost for Washington’s offense.

The Commanders are clearly in a win-now mindset, as evidenced by their aggressive moves in free agency and the draft, including selecting Daniels and other immediate-impact players. Given this approach, it’s reasonable to speculate that the trade of Dotson could be a strategic move to pave the way for Aiyuk’s arrival in Washington. By making this trade, the Commanders have positioned themselves to potentially acquire Aiyuk and strengthen their roster significantly.