The Steelers remain a team to watch closely with respect to Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers wideout has drawn considerable attention in recent days, but plenty is unresolved at this time. 
Pittsburgh is one of a number of teams engaged in ongoing negotiations with San Francisco, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. The Steelers were not initially mentioned in Monday’s report regarding the framework being worked out on a trade. The Browns were named in that respect, along with the Patriots. New England is now believed to be out of the running, however.
The Patriots do not represent Aiyuk’s intended landing spot, something which may be the case for the Steelers. Pittsburgh has long been considered a contender to land the 26-year-old, and the team re-engaged in negotiations in the wake of Cleveland and New England making progress. While this situation remains fluid, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette confirms no agreement – formal or informal – is currently in place between the Steelers and 49ers.
Dulac adds that if a trade is to be worked out for Aiyuk, the Steelers will not include any players in the package coming back to San Francisco. Cleveland’s ability to acquire the Arizona State alum could require Amari Cooper heading the other way, but no comparable wideout exists for the Steelers. Pittsburgh already traded away Diontae Johnson earlier in the offseason.
That move (which was followed up by the release of Allen Robinson) has led to many naming the Steelers as a logical landing spot for a receiver. Aiyuk would certainly add considerable pedigree to a WR room led by George Pickens and third-round rookie Roman Wilson at the position as things stand. Pittsburgh is expected to rely on a run-heavy approach under new OC Arthur Smith in 2024, but Aiyuk has a pair of 1,000-yard campaigns to his name.
San Francisco entertained trade calls for both the former first-rounder and Deebo Samuel at the draft, though no deals were struck. The 49ers have several big-money commitments on offense already, and quarterback Brock Purdy will be eligible for an extension next offseason. Aiyuk is due $14.12MM in 2024 on the fifth-year option, but an extension will check in at a much higher rate.
The Patriots were reportedly willing to eclipse $28MM per season on a multi-year deal, and a New England agreement would have served the notable purpose (from San Francisco’s perspective) of sending him to an AFC team. Despite not having a no-trade clause, Aiyuk’s preference in this case appears to carry notable weight. Whether a potential desire to continue his career in Pittsburgh results in a trade will continue to be a top storyline for the Steelers and 49ers.
Well, the Bucs apparently could give Brandon A 22 Million bucks on a one year deal… let him gamble on himself, then a big payday
Although, big paydays aren’t what they are cracked up to be
Well that wouldn’t make much sense because he’s under contract this season already at around 14.5 mil and can be franchise tagged closer to 25 mil for the next season… why would he sign a 1 year at 22 mil?
Well, they could give him extra money right now
Anyway….it was an idea, not a great idea though
I’m in the minority of think that the Steelers don’t necessarily need a wide receiver badly. It would be good, certainly, to complete a receiving corps, but the Wilson pick gives them a serviceable group (or should, if he does as expected). Depth would always be acceptable, of course, but I don’t think that Pittsburgh needs to be desperate for a high end wideout while rostering a probable short term QB and having a potential Pickens extension on the radar by the time a new franchise QB could be on the books.
They need one but they need a franchise qb more.
Cleveland is rolling with Watson
Patriots just drafted Maye
Steelers shouldn’t be dealing picks for a wr when they have a history of drafting decent ones and need a franchise qb first.
Maybe they can talk ATL out of Cousins in the off season.
Pickens is very good but relying on a third round slot receiver to be as expected immediately is a fools errand, there is no team in the NFL who couldn’t use Aiyuks talent, he just seems kind of annoying from an apathetic to San Fran football fan
I don’t dispute that Aiyuk isn’t or wouldn’t be helpful; I am questioning whether the production is worth the cost of acquisition for this team. Doubtless he’d improve the team, but as I Believe We can Win stated, Pittsburgh needs a franchise QB more. I agree with his post. Wilson shouldn’t probably be an immediate star, but he does need to develop, and he certainly will start. The Steelers might need a WR2 for a year or two, but is that what Aiyuk wants?
It seems to me that Pittsburgh could use a short term or WR2/WR3 depth receiver more than a blockbuster right now. Aiyuk seems to be in line for a big time, long term deal. While Pittsburgh would upgrade on the field with that, it’s hard to see how it makes financial/draft capitol sense, especially with an uncertain future at quarterback at this current moment. It wouldn’t be the worst deal in the world, but I don’t think that it’s necessarily necessary.
Disagree again (my previous moniker was tiredolddude)
If the price is a 1st rounder, pay it. This guy is 26, would be here now when you say the idea is to win, and doesn’t need to be developed
If the price is Freiermuth, do it. Maybe I’m in the minority, but the guy has underachieved here. He’s nowhere near the end Heath was
And whatever the contract price, pay it.
Look, all professional salaries are out of whack. Khan is supposed to be a genius with such things, then prove it
Sorry, but while I like Pickens, his demeanor has often bordered into Diontae/Claypool prima Donna territory. Imagine what it will be when he is double teamed and not getting a lot of balls And there really is no strong number 2 option
I think Wilson is going to do well. I think the O-line is going to make the 1-2 punch of Harris and Warren frightening. And Pickens is a stud
But if the ice really is to win now, they need Aiyuk
With the two-headed QB monster, they won’t be serious contenders this year, so that first might get them a top QB prospect next year or a top WR without having to shell out $30 mill a year on top of it.
I agree with all this, except the 1st rounder. A 2nd I would agree too. Freiermuth involved is more than fine with me too.
If Aiyuk agrees to sign a long term deal there’s no way the team acquiring him isn’t giving up a 1st.
He won’t be traded unless a deal with his new team is in place.
Is BA worth a 1st rd pick based on his talent? I definitely think so. Is he worth a 1st rd pick plus taking up $30m guaranteed over 3 years on your cap? Not for the Steelers, imop, since they are not one player away, again imop, from being a legitimate Super Bowl contender, especially with the uncertainty at the QB position this year, and even more importantly, in the near future.
For comparison sakes
Aj brown cost the eagles I believe a 1st and 3rd when he was dealt from the titans during a contract year.
49ers probably don’t let aiyuk go for anything less than a 1st or the equivalent of a 1st round draft pick
Steelers shouldn’t be dealing future picks when the qb situation isn’t settled. If you need a bad example of this Chicago traded a 2nd round pick for Claypool with fields as their qb. Waste of a pick when you don’t have a qb to utilize the talent. Guess who’s qb2 on the Steelers. Russ also had similar talent in Denver with Sutton Jeudy Mins but him running the show didn’t produce the desired outcome.
Anyways in the off season maybe Steelers can pry cousins away from the falcons and if they can then maybe go after aiyuk if he isn’t franchise tagged.
The problem with PITTS is they’re too talented and well coached for Aiyuk. They were a playoff team last season, albeit winning tight games in the 4thQ often. Many of those games could’ve gone the other way. They won with a solid D, a weak O, and not turning the ball over or making dumb penalties. So now they bring in Wilson, and for what? To advance to the playoffs again? If so you need Aiyuk, because Russ cant scramble like he used to. Better hope WRs can separate quickly or Russ is in trouble. But you have to give up picks and sign Aiyuk to a long term expensive contract. So really depends on what they want to do long term. Expect Arthur Smith to run the ball alot with play action and 2 TE sets mixed in. Is Aiyuk really worth it blocking for the RB/TE so often?
Hypothetically, say Wilson or Fields have a great season. Pittsburgh is going to have to shell out a big contract or lose them, on top of not having a #1 and all that cap space. That would likely mean adding $80 mil to their 2025 cap for two players and not be able to bring in another top prospect. Those one year contracts leave them with little leverage if things go right.
You might not be wrong, but is Wilson your QB of the future? Do you commit big money to him? Probably not. He’s probably better off with an Arthur Smith offense over a Sean Payton one. Doubt Fields will the QB of the future, he seems more like a Mitch Trubisky player. Talented and athletic, but just not a good passer. Good enough to be on an NFL roster but not good enough to start. We’ll see soon.
If Wilson is good this year, other QB needy teams are going to drive up the price. If both are terrible, the draft will be the best option (thus they need that #1).
I actually agree with both of you-Sherminator and Plus3 (no offense tiredolddude-gonna have to to explain to us what happened there, but I’m glad to see you in any case).
I think that Aiyuk will improve Pittsburgh, and could possibly mesh with Wilson’s style (the fact that he’d be going from a very structured offense to a an unstructured quarterback could give me pause), but I just don’t think that it’s the best use of resources for the Steelers-for the reasons that both of you said. I think that both of you are meaning to make this argument, unless I read your posts wrongly. If so, I do agree that Aiyuk, while valuable and additive to a Steelers offense, might take away future capitol that could be crucial in other areas.
Day 43 of Aiyuk watch…still nothing to report.
This is getting to Ron Burgandy status.
I don’t understand how you read nothing to report from this.
Because it’s literally been the same “update” for 6 months. He’s not going anywhere unless a decent piece is coming back along with picks
Ot certainly isn’t unless the other 42 articles detailed a possible trade to the Steelers.
If your standard is simply, “trade happened/trade didn’t happen”, you’re going to miss out on a lot of information. Whether you find that relevant is your choice, but that doesn’t change the fact that news was reported.
Did you read the other 42 articles?
Did you just start watching sports? It’s the offseason there no much to talk about so you get click bait stories that say the same thing. Like all the ones we’ve gotten about Dak and the cowboys that say nothing at all. Don’t like it? Then go watch a sport in season like baseball
BA’s choices are to go where the 49ers send him or play for the 49ers. Or retire.
Aiyuk & Mitchell and pick(s) for Lamb
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
That doesn’t fix either team’s problem (cap space).
Niners would also hard pass
Tigers wouldn’t pass getting a top 5 wr Lamb >>>>>> Aiyuk and it’s not even close. Aiyuk is the 3rd or 4th option on the 9ers meanwhile Lamb puts up better numbers as the number 1 option meaning defenses plan against him personally. 9ers easily accept that trade if Lamb agrees to an extension
It really doesn’t matter if they get him or not. They need to get a decent quarterback first.
Deebo moving up my fantasy football draft if Aiyuk traded.
I’m not ready to give up on one of the QBs we already have to be able to win games. I’m reserving judgment until we get past the preseason, but in the meantime, I would be ok giving up a couple of day 2 picks to acquire Aiyuk.
Lmfao. I guarantee you the niners don’t want russ or fields. If it’s only picks, it’s a 1st minimum
Didn’t they try to get a 1st pre draft and got no takers?
Can’t see the Steelers being involved unless there are a whole bunch of picks involved – as the Steelers’ 1st round pick in 2025 will likely be around #18, thus it isn’t much of an incentive for the 49ers to make a deal.
I admit I do not pay attention to every rookie deal. But how does he have a no trade clause? I thought rookies were basically on a here is you deal take it or take it. I know they can negotiate how the money gets paid out but I guess I never thought they could have no trade clauses.
He does not have a no trade clause. However, few teams (if any) would be willing to trade for him if he would be disgruntled and/or hold out once the trade was consummated.
You’re right, and so the Mustard Tiger. As the Siberian Condiment Cat pointed out, the “soft leverage” of Aiyuk having to agree to any prospective deal is the only sway that Aiyuk can have over where he goes. The pressure is on the trading team, and partially on Aiyuk, not really on San Francisco. The 9ers can send Aiyuk whereever they want.
Of course, that will possibly hurt their reputation in free agency, and most teams will try to help go with the player’s preferences as much as possible these days. The player being on board with the trade helps facilitate it-he may lower his demands, making the trading partner more willing to give up assets. But, ultimately, the 9ers can choose to send him wherever they want, even that means nowhere. Aiyuk, for his part in this particular scenario, will have to choose to play and be paid or sit out and be fined. So, while San Fran has plenty of incentive to help Aiyuk get what he wants, there’s not anything forcing them to do a certain thing.
I don’t see Steelers giving up a first round pick for him.
I don’t think the Steelers nearly have the quarterback problem that the consensus feels they do. Pittsburg coaches talent up. Tomlin gets the most of players. I will be surprised if we aren’t talking about a new contract for Fields after this season.
Maybe a three way trade is the way to solve this situation.
For example: Pittsburgh gives up picks and a big contract – 49ers trade picks to Raiders for Davante Adams.
How fun would it be if the Chiefs swung a trade for Aiyuk? I think it would solidify a chance at a three-peat even though their strength of schedule is going to be a lot tougher this year.
If they didn’t pay Hill, why would they pay Aiyuk?
I think I see this question on every Aiyuk post and it’s so stupid.