Daily Slop: 27 Apr 26 – How many Day 1 starters did the Commanders add in the draft?

“Monte Coleman was one of the greatest players in Washington history,” Commanders managing partner Josh Harris said in a statement. “He was one of the pillars of our championship defenses having played for all three Super Bowl-winning teams. His durability and leadership set the standard for what it meant to suit up for the Burgundy & Gold.”

From ESPN:

“He may not have invented the position of nickel linebacker,” then-general manager Charley Casserly said when Coleman retired in 1995. “But he rose it to a level which has not been seen since.”

The Athletic (paywall)

Our favorite 2026 NFL Draft picks: Kaytron “Fatman” Allen

Washington Commanders: Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State

Pick: No. 187, Round 6 | Commanders takeaways

First-rounder Sonny Styles is the star of Washington’s draft class and will undoubtedly upgrade a defense that needed a leader and playmaker like him. But my favorite Commanders selection was Allen, a durable and powerful runner with good vision and one of the finest nicknames in sports. As he explained: “I was a fat baby and everybody in the town called me Fatman. Hopefully, I keep it going in Washington and they call me Fatman and, you know, when I score all you hear is Fatman.” Yep, the Commanders’ rushing corps will be led by “Bill” (Jacory Croskey-Merritt) and “Fatman.” Giddy up. — Nicki Jhabvala

Commanders Roundtable

Washington Commanders Agree to Terms with Several 2026 UDFAs

UNLV WR Jaden Bradley

The DeMatha grad is coming home. After spending the first two seasons at Pitt where he totaled 259 yards and two touchdowns on 19 catches, both scores as a sophomore, Bradley hit the transfer portal where he blossomed into an impact player in 2025 with 931 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 58 catches. A towering receiver at 6-foot-4 who adds intrigue as a vertical threat to potentially elevate the practice squad roster and hopes to break onto the 53 man roster.

LSU WR/DB Chris Hilton Jr.

After sticking it out at LSU, Hilton ended his career with over 600 receiving yard and five touchdowns on seven starts. Hilton struggled with injuries his first two seasons at LSU before closing out his career with a start in the bowl game, marking one of two seasons with double digit catches. The production hasn’t always matched the explosive athlete, but the intriguing part about the signing is he could stick on defense. Hilton went through the evaluation process as a defensive back where the 6-foot, 190-pound rookie could materialize into a cornerback addition this offseason.

Clemson/Jacksonville State/Northwestern CB Fred Davis

A former blue chip prospect out of Trinity Christian Academy (FL), Davis spent the first three seasons of his college career at Clemson where he notched 27 games with all four starts in year three where he totaled 34 tackles and four pass deflections. He spent the 2024 season at Jacksonville State where he totaled four pass deflections and 18 total tackles before hitting the portal once again, ultimately ending his career at Northwestern. Davis notched six pass deflections and 32 total tackles, both career highs, with the Wildcats with the 6-foot-1, 200-pound prospect potentially adding depth at cornerback.

Michigan State safety Malik Spencer

A mainstay at safety for the Spartans during his four seasons, Spencer registered at least 40 tackles in each of his last three seasons, also the span when he notched 13 pass deflections, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two sacks. A dynamic piece and one of the best on the Spartans defense, Spencer arrives after the Commanders did not draft a safety.

NFL.com

2026 NFL Draft results: Where did Daniel Jeremiah’s top 150 prospects land?

Riggo’s Rag

Commanders may have found a Day 3 starter in center Matt Gulbin

The Commanders took a big risk earlier this offseason by releasing starting center Tyler Biadasz. Peters hasn’t — and probably won’t — fully discussed the reasons behind the surprising move, but the concerns among the fan base were there for all to see.

Aside from giving Nick Allegretti a new deal ahead of time, the Commanders resisted the temptation to find another center in free agency. Peters went in different directions over his opening four choices in the draft. Fans were starting to wonder if another option would ever be acquired.

They needn’t have worried.

The Commanders picked Matt Gulbin with the No. 209 overall selection, acquired by trading running back Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers last year. While the Michigan State product is not going to blow you away with high-level traits, his college production offers reasons for encouragement, and he seems to fit what David Blough is looking for from a blocking standpoint.

According to Pro Football Focus, Gulbin allowed only five pressures in 426 pass-blocking snaps with the Spartans last season. Only one center player has more snaps and allows fewer pressures. If that wasn’t enough, PFF also graded him as the top run blocker for all centers.

Couple this with his improving communication and leadership, and it’s not hard to see why the Commanders were intrigued. And if everything goes well during his transition, Gulbin has a legitimate chance to compete with Allegretti for the starting center job this summer.

Allegretti remains the favorite. He’s got experience, and he played well when filling in for Biadasz late in the season. Head coach Dan Quinn will also give Brandon Coleman a chance, but Gulbin’s arrival makes that less likely.

Expecting miracles from Gulbin right out of the gate is setting the player up to fail. But if the incoming rookie can pick things up quickly, the Commanders might just be onto something here.

A to Z Sports

3 overreactions to the Commanders’ 2026 draft class

2. The Commanders are way too dependent on value

Instead of taking a guy like Ted Hurst at 71 –a big, fast, vertical threat that is raw, but can give the Commanders a skillset they currently don’t have– Peters chose to go with Antonio Williams.

A big reason why was because of the value. Many analysts had a second-round grade on Williams and Adam Peters said he was the highest guy on their board at the time of the pick, so it all tracks.

But value doesn’t always translate to success in the NFL and adding a bigger, more dynamic player like a Hust, Bryce Lance, or even moving into the cornerback territory with a Tacario Davis or Daylen Everette, can be the spark a team needs.

Sure, Williams is a steady player (with an injury history on top of it), but the Commanders need firepower, right now. They don’t need guys who will simply maintain the status quo.

Don’t get me started on the Athan Kaliakmanis pick, either. Again, the Commanders went value, there. And while it’s a seventh-round selection in a lower-tier draft, the Commanders are far off better getting a guy who will, you know, actually have a chance at seeing the football field in the near future.

3. The Commanders secondary will be bad, once again

It honestly blew my mind the Commanders ignored needs at cornerback and safety in the draft. As a result, they still don’t know where to line Mike Sainristil up, Amik Robertson is coming in after a down year, Trey Amos looked just OK before his season-ending injury in Week 10, and Akhello Witherspoon is coming off an injury, himself, and is yet another former 49er brought in by Peters.

Again, maintaining status quo. Why does that group deserve the benefit of the doubt when it comes to improving? Yes, Joe Whitt Jr. was not a good defensive coordinator and maybe Daronte Jones can turn it around. At the same time, all of those guys just didn’t look good, period.

Then there’s the fact the Commanders don’t have an effective, rangy safety to rely on. That’s not Nick Cross’s, Jeremy Reaves’, nor Will Harris’ strength. Sure, Quan Martin is a rangy guy, but he’s not effective, especially after last year’s step back.

The secondary better hope the pass rush/front seven are world beaters. Because the group is going to have another rough year, if not.

Riggo’s Rag

Commanders’ trade for Laremy Tunsil continues to age like fine wine

Peters gave up third and seventh-round selections in 2025, coupled with second and fourth rounders in 2026, in exchange for Tunsil and a fourth-rounder last year. Now that the picks have been made, the Commanders look even better.

The Houston Texans, via some maneuvering up and down the board, turned their compensation into:

• wide receiver Jaylin Noel,
• cornerback Jaylin Smith,
• safety Jaylen Reed,
• offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu, and
• defensive lineman Kayden McDonald.

Not a bad return by any stretch, but none are likely to have the sort of impact Tunsil made in Washington.

And if Houston’s offensive line alterations don’t bear fruit for a second year, this trade to remove one of the league’s most prolific left tackles looks even worse.

Of course, the Commanders used the fourth-round pick in this deal on wide receiver Jaylin Lane. The former Virginia Tech star was used sparingly on the offensive rotation, but he managed to carve out a role for himself in the return game, bringing back two punts for touchdowns. While the arrival of third-rounder Antonio Williams pushes him further down the pecking order, all hope is not lost just yet.

Every fresh-faced player in this transaction has something to prove moving forward. Tunsil is a sure thing.

Heavy.com

Bobby Wagner Prediction Following NFL Draft

CBS Sports analyst Bryan DeArdo came up with 10 moves that should be made across the NFL following the NFL Draft. One of those moves involved Wagner.

DeArdo believes and predicted that Wagner would end up signing with the Cincinnati Bengals.

“Yes, the Bengals were 6-11 last season, but that was because Joe Burrow missed more than half of the season with an injury and the Bengals’ defense was historically bad for most of the year,” DeArdo wrote.

“Burrow is healthy now, though, and the Bengals’ defense should be much better in 2026 with their recent additions on that side of the ball, which include three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.”

After making the aggressive trade with the New York Giants for star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, the Bengals would be wise to go all-in on winning now. Wagner would make an awful lot of sense as an upgrade in the middle of their defense.

Commanders Wire

Commanders’ biggest winners and losers from 2026 NFL Draft

Loser: QB Sam Hartman

Hartman served as the practice-squad quarterback for the last two seasons. He played in the preseason last year and did not play well, but the Commanders chose to retain him on the practice squad and went with two veteran backups behind Daniels. While Marcus Mariota returns as Daniels’ backup, neither Josh Johnson nor Jeff Driskel is on the roster. Hartman will be competing with Kaliakmanis for the third-string job in 2026. That doesn’t bode well for Hartman’s chances.

Loser: RB Jerome Ford

Washington had four backs on the roster before the draft. On Saturday, the Commanders used a sixth-round pick on running back Kaytron Allen. Five running backs aren’t making the roster. Washington may only keep three. It’s doubtful that GM Adam Peters cuts the rookie, and we know Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the likely starter, with Rachaad White, Jeromy McNichols and Ford all competing for spots. That will ultimately not be good news for someone, probably Ford.

Winner: K Jake Moody

The Commanders did not draft a rookie kicker, and as of now, they have not added one as an undrafted free agent. That’s great for Moody. He should still expect some competition this summer, but it could come from another veteran, which gives Moody the advantage. Remember, Moody is only 26 and is a former third-round pick. He’s talented, and Peters may trust him to get it right.

Winner: WR Antonio Williams

The third-round rookie receiver has a clear path to a starting job. He can play in the slot or on the outside. Depending on what happens throughout the remainder of the offseason, Williams could be ticketed to start in the slot. The talented and versatile rookie wideout could enjoy a breakout campaign, even if the Commanders also eventually land Brandon Aiyuk alongside Terry McLaurin.

Podcasts & videos

SURPRISING SHIFT: Why Washington Commanders CHOSE Antonio Williams

David Harrison:

Now, there’s also the question of alignment, right? Nearly 80% of Antonio Williams collegiate snaps came inside. But we also have to remember that what a player is asked to do in college is not always what he’s capable of doing to his maximum ability.

AP talked about Williams playing the Z receiver position, which is the outside perimeter receiver who lines up off the line of scrimmage or the F, which is also known as the slot receiver position.

Didn’t really talk about him playing the X, which is your perimeter receiver who’s lined up on the line of scrimmage. Typically, that’s Terry McLaurin. And doesn’t really really surprise me. Antonio Williams would definitely be undersized for the X receiver position coming in just a shade when you’re six foot tall, less than 200 lb.

But that Z receiver position where you’re off the line of scrimmage and have a little bit of space between you and the DB. Even if they’re lined up close to the line of scrimmage, you still have that little bit of space. The slot certainly is going to get some space looking to be a move wide receiver. You’re going to use a lot of motion with him — things like that to create mismatches.

So the slot is really the most obvious place for him, but don’t forget that Z receivers don’t have to be lined up on the boundary, right? Like they don’t have to be all the way out by the sideline. They can be on the numbers; they can even be inside the numbers in a reduced split. You get those reduced splits where, maybe, he’s the outside receiver opposite the X, but he’s not the wide receiver.

You also have bunch and stack formations, right? Where you’re you’re not going to necessarily be out wide. You’re still going to have some opportunities to create space and Antonio Williams and his suddenness and his ability to create space and manipulate defenders is really going to show up in those situations, I think.

So, even when he lines up “outside”, it may not be outside the way that we typically consider it. And even then, as he continues to grow and develop, maybe not year one, there’s certainly upside to think that he could be a Z receiver of the future. What you’re looking for is that immediate fit. And for Antonio Williams, there is certainly immediate fit here.

NFC East links

Bleeding Green Nation

2026 NFL Draft Results: Eagles welcome 8 new rookies to Philadelphia

ELI STOWERS

Stowers being a total non-factor as a blocker is a bit frustrating after watching how the Eagles really suffered from complete liabilities in that regard last season. But his pass-catching potential is intriguing and there’s reason to believe he can get better since he’s relatively newer to his position. The Eagles needed to take a tight end in this draft since they have no real viable options under contract beyond 2026.

MARKEL BELL

If they had their druthers, the Eagles probably would’ve preferred to take a tackle in the first round. But the board didn’t work out that way for them. Instead, they’re taking a chance on Mt. Markel, who is absolutely massive. Might his 6’9” height work against him in terms of leverage? He’ll have a chance to develop as a depth option.

COLE PAYTON

The QB Factory never sleeps. Some will say this is a “wasted pick” but the Eagles don’t have a quarterback under contract for 2026, outside of Jalen Hurts. If Payton develops into a solid backup, that’s a big win. Plus, there’s thought he might have some Taysom Hill-like potential.

MICAH MORRIS

The Eagles needed to address their interior offensive line depth at some point in this draft. They lost depth at this position in free agency, they’re returning two starters with injury questions, and Tyler Steen is set to be a free agent after 2026. Morris has an attractive profile; he’s big with long arms and has good athletic testing numbers. But the Eagles will have to coach him up to make him into a viable option.

COLE WISNIEWSKI

People wanted the Eagles to address the same position much earlier than this but, hey, better late than never. Wisniewski seems like more of a depth option and special teams guy, realistically speaking. We’ll see if he can beat the odds and become more than that, just like Reed Blankenship did.

UAR BERNARD

Bernard has never played football in his life, so, he’s a total projection. But he’s an athletic freak worth taking a chance on. Total long shot with a late Day 3 pick. It’s a major win even if he merely develops into a rotational role player at some point in his career.

Blogging the Boys

Cowboys defensive makeover is even more extreme than you think

Jerry Jones opened the press conference following Day 2 of the draft by pointing out the changes made to the defense.

“We have been able to, as of right now, rebuild this defense. I think the fact that we put a new newness to the system and coaching staff, and new faces that we’ve added, we’ve changed this defense.”

Jones also pointed out that the changes made were not just a reaction to last year, but a “product of 3, 4, 5 years, maybe more, where we ultimately didn’t get to where we were trying to go and be a contender.”

On the player personnel side, the degree of change becomes dramatically apparent when you compare the season-opening 2025 roster with the current offseason roster. Here’s a look at the 2025 Week 1 roster for the defense, with the red cells indicating players no longer with the team:

• Of the 27 players on the opening-day roster against the Eagles in 2025, 15 are no longer with the Cowboys. Rosters in the NFL churn about 30% each year, the churn for the Cowboys defense is almost twice that at 56%.
• The churn among the starters is even higher at 64% with seven of the 11 listed starters already off the team.Of the 11 starters listed, only two (Kenny Clark and DaRon Bland) are likely to return as starters;
• Malik Hooker will likely lose his starting spot to the combo of Jalen Thompson and rookie Caleb Downs, Sam Williams will be lucky to make the roster as a backup.

I’ve listed the current offseason roster below. The roster is still in flux, of course, and I may not have slotted every player correctly on the depth chart, but the green cells do give you a good overview of the additions the Cowboys have made since Week 1, 2025.

Big Blue View

Are the 2026 Giants more talented than the 2025 Giants?

So is the talent on the 2026 Giants roster greater than it was on the 2025 roster? Overall I think we can now say that the answer is yes. After 4 p.m. Monday I hope we’ll be able to change that to a resounding yes. The days of the Giants’ defense getting pressure up the middle just by having an uber-talented behemoth bowling over centers and guards are over. In its place, though, we should expect to see better run defense at the first and second levels, better pass coverage in the secondary, and even more pressure on opposing quarterbacks as the rush comes from anywhere and everywhere, just not so much from the interior defensive line itself. (And even there, we’ll see whether Darius Alexander takes the next step in his development.)

This is only about the talent level. The biggest expectation for the Giants is that the defense takes a big step forward simply because they now have a more aggressive defensive coordinator in Dennard Wilson. When we see the Giants start to hold onto fourth quarter leads instead of blowing them, we’ll know.

NY Giants draft 2026: ‘Things I think’ about New York’s draft class

Hakeem Nicks comparisons, of course

I am not surprised that the Giants selection of wide receiver Malachi Fields after a trade into the third round has quickly drawn comparisons between Fields and former Giant Hakeem Nicks. Both are bigger wide receivers who win at the catch point rather than with speed or quickness, and who help their quarterbacks by making difficult 50-50 catches.

I am, honestly, conflicted in terms of how to feel about this move.

One one hand, I love this type of “throw it up and let him make a play” wide receiver. I think every team needs one. Eli Manning, who was rarely precise — except for a certain Super Bowl throw to Mario Manningham — benefitted greatly from having Nicks to throw to. Jaxson Dart should love Fields, if he is what the Giants traded up for.

On the other hand, I don’t like trading up and giving up assets. That is especially true when it comes to wide receivers.

Over the years I have watched the Giants trade up beyond Round 1 to draft wide receivers Sinorice Moss (2006), Ramses Barden (2009), and Jalin Hyatt (2023). I’m still waiting for one of those deals to work out. Throw in the trades up for DeAndre Baker and Deonte Banks and it’s no wonder Giants fans might have trade up PTSD.

Generally, go up and get a quarterback. Otherwise, just let the board come to you.

Let’s hope Fields doesn’t follow the Moss-Barden-Hyatt path.

It is easy to be optimistic today

Giants fans should all be optimistic right now. It’s been a terrific offseason with the hiring of a future Hall of Fame head coach, free agency, and now a draft that is being widely lauded.

A note of caution, though. You are supposed to feel good today. I think Giants have had the right to feel good coming out of all five of Schoen’s drafts.

Winning the draft isn’t, though, winning on the field. It’s time for the Giants to begin doing that before they, and the fan base, can really begin to feel good.

Monday will be interesting

The Giants spent time before the draft visiting with several free agents of interest. As of 4 p.m. ET on Monday, veteran free agents who sign with new teams do not count against the compensatory pick formula. Will D.J. Reader or Odell Beckham be Giants by Monday night?

NFL league links

Articles

ESPN

2026 NFL draft: Best picks, trades, QB fits and predictions

Who was the best value pick in Round 1?

Miller: Lemon to the Eagles. Philadelphia traded up to No. 20 to steal Lemon from the Steelers (who were set to pick at No. 21), and landed my No. 8 overall player in the process. Lemon was my WR1 in the class thanks to his toughness in the middle of the field and his fantastic run-after-catch ability.

Reid: Edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. to the Bucs. Bain was my top-ranked edge rusher in this draft, so Tampa Bay getting him at No. 15 was a steal. Bain’s versatility and power profile fit perfectly with the team’s scheme.

Who was the best value pick in Round 6?

Miller: RB Kaytron Allen to the Commanders. Allen was ranked No. 123 on my board and was selected at No. 187. He could boost a Washington backfield that had enough of a running back need to be in the conversation as a potential landing spot for Love in Round 1.

Reid: RB Demond Claiborne to the Vikings. The Vikings traded up to select the former Wake Forest back. While Minnesota restructured Aaron Jones Sr.’s contract this offseason, there’s room for another receiving running back in the roster. Claiborne could potentially fill Jones’ role in 2027.

What is your favorite prospect-to-team fit?

Miller: OT Francis Mauigoa to the Giants at No. 10. The Giants needed a right tackle who can open lanes in the run game and also keep quarterback Jaxson Dart clean. Not overthinking this selection and drafting the best offensive lineman in the class is a win on value, but it’s also a great scheme fit with John Harbaugh determined to establish the run.

What is the most questionable QB landing spot?

Miller: Taylen Green to the Browns. Green is a fantastic all-around athlete with a rare combination of arm strength and running ability, and he’s a fine fit in Todd Monken’s offense. The question here is why the Browns felt the need to add a quarterback. Green joins a depth chart that features Deshaun Watson and two draft picks from last year (Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel).

Reid: Athan Kaliakmanis to the Commanders and Behren Morton to the Patriots. I was surprised that both got drafted. Them coming off the board before Nussmeier or Luke Altmyer, who would have been better options at those draft slots, was highly questionable.

What was your least favorite in-draft trade?

Reid: Helping an intradivision foe will never make sense to me, and that’s what the Cowboys did by allowing the Eagles to trade up for Lemon. Aiding Philadelphia in securing one of the top receivers in the draft is a move that I simply don’t understand.

Make your early call for Defensive Rookie of the Year

Miller: Downs. He’ll have plenty of opportunities to make big plays as an overhang safety in Christian Parker’s defense. Downs’ football IQ, instincts and ability to read quarterbacks will give him the interception and pass breakup numbers you need to win awards.

Discussion topics

The Athletic (paywall)

2026 NFL Draft team-by-team rankings: Best and worst classes, from 1 to 32

2. New York Giants

Favorite pick: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State

There are multiple contenders for this spot — Francis Mauigoa, Colton Hood, Malachi Fields. But Reese was my No. 1 player in the entire class, and his addition will allow the Giants to mix up their pressure packages. Quarterbacks won’t have fun facing this front seven.

Day 3 pick who could surprise: Jack Kelly, LB, BYU

With his explosive speed and compete skills, Kelly likely wasn’t a hard sell in the war room. He’ll be a special teams dynamo from day one and will push for defensive snaps early in his career.

4. Dallas Cowboys

Favorite pick: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

A top-five player on my board, Downs is a culture changer and the perfect player to usher in Dallas’ new Christian Parker-led defense. Downs’ play speed, processing and tackling ability are all well above average, and his nickel versatility (both physically and mentally) will make him a difference-maker — especially in a Vic Fangio-inspired scheme.

Day 3 pick who could surprise: LT Overton, edge, Alabama

Five of Dallas’ first six picks were spent on defense. Though Overton failed to live up to the early-round hype he had entering the season, he is a toolsy big man with gap-sound principles and long arms to own the point of attack.

7. Philadelphia Eagles

Favorite pick: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Arguably the most quarterback-friendly pass catcher in this class, Lemon represents a philosophical shift for the Eagles’ offense. With his play strength and route manipulation, he has a realistic chance to lead all rookies in targets.

Day 3 pick who could surprise: Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State

The Eagles made some fun dart throws in the seventh round. But I’m most interested to see if Philadelphia puts together any Taysom Hill-type packages for Payton (6-3, 232, with 4.5 speed), who was viewed last season as a tight end by NFL scouts. Payton has the toughness and traits to find his way onto the field.

16. Washington Commanders

Favorite pick: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Antonio Williams was a quality addition in Round 3, but Styles’ potential impact on Washington’s defense makes him the easy choice. Physically, he has a rare size-speed combination, although his coaches would argue that his mental toughness and intangibles are even more impressive. This was a perfect fit.

Day 3 pick who could surprise: Kaytron “Fatman” Allen, RB, Penn State

Allen was the ninth running back drafted, but outside of the two first-rounders, I would argue he landed the best opportunity to get on the field and be productive. The Commanders have a crowded running back roster, but the order of the depth chart feels very unsettled. I like Allen’s chances to carve out a meaningful role.

NFL.com

Niners GM John Lynch still hopes to trade Brandon Aiyuk following draft: ‘Give us a call’

John Lynch is still keen to move him sometime in the future.

“No new update right now,” Lynch said regarding Aiyuk on Saturday during his post-draft news conference, per team transcript. “We’re available. Give us a call. And like I said earlier, I think it’s the prudent thing to do. He’s an extremely talented player. He’s been an extremely effective player in our league; situation didn’t work itself out here. That’s not to say that it can’t be rekindled somewhere else. And we’d be happy to do something with anyone if the opportunity presented itself.”

Aiyuk has been destined for a San Francisco exit for months now after the team placed him on the reserve/left squad list in December. Lynch acknowledged in January that it was “safe to say” Aiyuk had played has last down as a Niner, but the months ticking along have done nothing to diminish the 49ers’ interest in getting something for the wideout after getting nothing from him in 2025.

“Not anytime soon,” Lynch said when asked if he was planning on releasing Aiyuk.

In 2024, he requested a trade and held in at training camp before signing a long-term extension, a deal that did not prevent San Francisco from being open to trading him during the 2025 offseason as he recuperated from a torn ACL. Now, in 2026 — after Aiyuk never took the field last season and the player-team relationship deteriorated — Aiyuk seems destined once again for a new squad.

Though Lynch indicated his willingness to find a trade partner, it might behoove the 49ers to wait a few more months to commit to something.

San Francisco voided the guaranteed money owed to Aiyuk in 2026 but would still incur $29.6 million in dead money for the upcoming season by trading him ahead of June 1, per Over the Cap. In a post-June 1 trade, they’d only take on $8.3 million.

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