Steelers Should Consider Lucrative Trade That Includes An Offensive Lineman For A Bona Fide 49ers Star

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been very busy this offseason, but they still need to fill some spots, including finding a couple of wide receivers. While they are likely to pick up at least one in the 2024 NFL Draft, they need a veteran who will bring leadership to their very young receivers room. The one name that has come up the most often recently is San Francisco 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk. 

Aiyuk is the total package. He has to tick most, if not all of the Steelers' boxes. He is currently entering his fifth year with the 49ers and they have not made a move to extend him beyond that. Aiyuk was a Second Team All-Pro in 2023 and is due to earn $14.124 million from the 49ers in 2024. The cost for a player of his caliber will be somewhat steep. Word already broke that the Jacksonville Jaguars were interested and the 49ers wanted their first-round pick in 2024 (17th overall), as well as Zay Flowers for Aiyuk. 

The social media flames have been fanned by fans of both teams, as well as by Aiyuk and his inner circle (who have made vague comments about not being in San Francisco for 2024). Most recently, Aiyuk posted on X at Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin, joking about their said similar appearance. Now, one former Steelers player, Ramon Foster, has taken to the air to say that he thinks a trade for Aiyuk makes perfect sense and he has an idea. 

Foster, who spent 11 years with the Steelers, now co-hosts a podcast with reporter Dejan Kovacevic, from DK Pittsburgh Sports, called The Ramon Foster Show. On a recent episode, they discussed Aiyuk and how the Steelers could acquire him, Foster offered an interesting trade scenario. 

"Dan [Moore Jr.] can be used as draft capital. He could be sent over in a package if you looking at San Francisco. How much longer can Trent Williams go? He's a left tackle with that style of offense, getting the ball in and out as quick as they do. Dan's a big athlete. I'm petitioning for a dude to go to another team and I like Dan, but it makes sense. If you're telling me, 'We'll send you a four and Dan Moore.' If he doesn't want to play right, you send him to a team that has an expiring left tackle."

Foster believes that Aiyuk is a perfect fit for the Steelers. He said that George Pickens is not ready to be the leader and would benefit from having a veteran teammate. Foster also said that having Aiyuk across from Pickens, who is known for his incredible catches, would make them hard to defend. We saw firsthand what Aiyuk can do when he scored two touchdowns against Pittsburgh in Week 1. 

Khan has shown that he is not afraid to trade players, already letting Diontae Johnson and Kenny Pickett go. It feels like a trade package for Aiyuk, that includes Moore, and a later draft pick could work. After all, Aiyuk is sending all the signals that he doesn't want to be a 49er anymore. Khan knows that this slightly drops Aiyuk's value. 

Steelers Can't Ignore Their Offensive Line

While trading away Moore makes sense in a lot of ways, the Steelers really must address their offensive line this offseason as a whole. They released center Mason Cole, which means they need to add to the center position, and at least get another tackle.

The team has addressed many of their offensive woes by signing new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, Quarterbacks Coach Tom Arth, Wide Receivers Coach Zach Azzanni, and Mateo Kambui as an offensive assistant. They fixed their quarterback controversy by completely sweeping the room clean and starting over. So far, they have signed Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, with Wilson expected to start. However, it won't matter who's the quarterback if they aren't being protected by a strong line. 

There has been talk about the Steelers once again moving up in the first round, this time from 20th overall, to get another Georgia offensive lineman Amarius Mims. This will likely depend on what they think about the center prospects. Three centers are currently projected to go in the first round, including Zach Frazier out of West Virginia.  

What do you think about the idea of trading Moore as part of a package for Aiyuk? Click to comment below. 

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