Brandon Aiyuk’s push for a move from the 49ers has stretched on, and George Kittle says the Commanders should expect his elite talent—plus the complications that come with a player who hasn’t taken the field since a serious 2024 knee injury.
Brandon Aiyuk has kept pressure on the 49ers. posting a video to social media that shows him shouting “Go Commanders!”—a line that captures where his head appears to be. if and when a break from San Francisco happens. Washington is believed to be his preferred destination if the 49ers release or trade him. and he’s posted other videos critical of the team during his prolonged effort to move on.
The 49ers, though, have not budged. His status could stay in limbo for some time unless he reports to training camp and tries to force the hand of the organization.
On Monday, Kittle addressed the idea of Aiyuk landing elsewhere during an appearance on Pardon My Take. Asked what the Commanders should expect to get from the receiver, Kittle leaned first into what Aiyuk’s game looks like—then pointed to the gap between talent and availability.
“The last time I saw Aiyuk was, call it Week 6, 7, or 8. I don’t really know,” Kittle said. “I used to make it a habit of mine to go out early in the morning before meetings to watch him train because he’d always be out there early. and I watched him run over 22 miles an hour and stop on a dime. So. he’s still got it. or at least that was a year. eight months ago. so I don’t really know. But you guys have fun with that, I guess . . . You have fun with all that comes with it.”.
The punchline from Kittle wasn’t subtle. Aiyuk’s explosiveness and ability to make defenders uncomfortable are still tied to what Kittle remembers from the weeks before his absence. But Aiyuk has not played in a game since suffering a serious knee injury during the 2024 season. making the question less about potential and more about timing.
Kittle also reacted to the suggestion that Aiyuk might be happier once he’s off the 49ers. He didn’t soften it. “I wouldn’t be happy either after a team paid me $130 million,” Kittle said—an apparent reference to the extension Aiyuk signed before the 2024 season.
That extension changed the direction of negotiations. It led the 49ers to scrap plans to trade Aiyuk. and the organization would likely prefer a reset on that sequence as they weigh what happens next. For now. Aiyuk continues pushing from the outside. while the 49ers hold firm—leaving Washington’s ideal scenario suspended until he either finds a path out or shows up to training camp and forces the timeline forward.
Brandon Aiyuk George Kittle San Francisco 49ers Washington Commanders NFL knee injury training camp NFL contract Pardon My Take
strings attached??? more like dudes just wanting money and drama lol
So Kittle is basically saying Aiyuk is good but he might not play? That’s like buying a car with 0 miles on it… except it’s a football player. Also the “Go Commanders” thing like why would he do that when he’s injured? I’m confused.
“Last time I saw him Week 6,7,8” like… okay that doesn’t sound great? Also knee injury 2024 and now they’re talking trade already. I feel like Washington is gonna get cooked and then everyone acts surprised. But then again $130 million extension means the 49ers can’t move him, right? idk.
I swear this is just agents posturing. The shouting “Go Commanders” video is the whole headline but nobody wants to talk about why he hasn’t been on the field. Knee injuries can linger forever, then he’s “still got it” but only from what Kittle saw like months ago. And Kittle saying he wouldn’t be happy after getting $130m… well yeah, but doesn’t that mean he should be able to force the trade? It’s like everyone’s talking circles.