The Pittsburgh Steelers made an offseason move by trading away Diontae Johnson. This left a noticeable gap at the wide receiver position, an area many expected them to address through either a trade, or the free agency market. Amidst swirling rumors of a significant acquisition, speculation persists about the potential trade for San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk runs after catching a football during a regular season game.
In the context of the wide receiver market, the trade of Buffalo Bills' Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans adds another dimension. The particulars of this deal could provide insights into what the Steelers might need to offer for Aiyuk. The trade involves the Bills receiving a 2025 second-round pick, while the Texans acquire the 30-year-old Diggs along with a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Former Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats shared his analysis of Aiyuk's trade value in light of Diggs' trade to the Texans on his YouTube channel, The Arthur Moats Experience. Moats responded to a question regarding whether the Diggs trade suggests that a trade for Aiyuk remains a viable possibility for Pittsburgh.
“It’s not apples to apples completely because Diggs already has the contract. It was already set to where you knew what those numbers were. Where as with Brandon Aiyuk, we are still trying to figure out what is it going to take for him from a contract extension standpoint to where he feels good about it.”
As Moats dissected, it's important to note that the Diggs deal isn't an exact parallel to the situation involving Aiyuk. The substantial contract carried by Diggs was already established, having been sealed back in April 2022 when he inked a four-year, $96 million extension with Buffalo. However, the Texans have since restructured Diggs' original contract, condensing it to a one-year, $22.52 million deal with Houston.
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San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk looks to make a move to beat Steelers safety Damontae Kazee in a regular season game in 2023.
So, what's the implication for the Steelers? Well, considering Aiyuk is currently 26 years old and in his prime, while Diggs is 30 years old and recently commanded a one-year deal worth $22.52 million, it offers a benchmark for what the Steelers might need to pay Aiyuk in a potential trade scenario. The challenge with Aiyuk lies in the fact that acquiring him would necessitate surrendering valuable assets, likely in the form of high draft picks, and subsequently committing to a significant contract.
The fact that Diggs was traded for just a second-round pick in 2025 suggests that a trade for Aiyuk, offering the 49ers a second- or even a third-round pick and some other picks, could be more feasible in light of this deal. Despite ongoing trade discussions surrounding Aiyuk for several weeks, no concrete action has materialized, indicating that the 49ers might be holding out for a first-round pick, which has yet to be offered. This situation hints that perhaps they're deliberating the appropriate value for Aiyuk. Nevertheless, the Diggs trade serves as a valuable reference point for Steelers fans, providing insight into the current landscape of the wide receiver market.
Steelers Paying Brandon Aiyuk Actually Makes Sense
The notion of investing heavily in a wide receiver often raises concerns. After all, wide receivers alone don't win football games – just consider the impact of players like Justin Jefferson. While they undoubtedly offer a valuable asset, it's ultimately the performance in the trenches and the quality of quarterback play that determine success on the field. The comprehensive view of the game, the all 22, not just the presence of a star wide receiver, is what truly matters. This is where the decision-making process becomes intricate.
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Former Steelers WR Diontae Johnson walks the sidelines during a game.
Yet, when you analyze what the Steelers were paying Johnson, the prospect of offering Aiyuk a slightly higher salary doesn't seem as daunting. In August 2022, Johnson secured a two-year, $36.71 million contract extension with Pittsburgh, translating to roughly $18 million per year. If Aiyuk could be acquired within the range of $25 million or less annually, it presents a compelling case. Aiyuk embodies postseason experience, remarkable production, and possesses the qualities sought after in a wide receiver. When comparing Johnson and Aiyuk, many argue that Aiyuk holds the edge, making the additional investment seem reasonable.
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