Steelers Get Updated By 49ers' Insider On Brandon Aiyuk Trade Situation: "Knowledgeable Sources Inside The Building Don't Rule Out A Deal"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been reported to have serious interest in trading for San Francisco 49ers receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. The only problem right now is that the 49ers don't want to move their emerging star pass-catcher. That doesn't mean it's totally out of the realm of possibility, however. Steelers General Manager Omar Khan has not been shy to do what he can to acquire players he thinks will help him get closer to the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl, and according to a new report, the 49ers aren't closing the door on a trade. 

Michael Silver is an award-winning sports columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle. He wrote a column on Tuesday that he's heard the team hasn't ruled out moving their burgeoning star, who is looking to cash in on his next contract. 

"Based on what I’m hearing from knowledgeable sources inside the building, and from high-ranking personnel executives and coaches around the league, don’t rule out a deal that would send Brock Purdy’s favorite target to another team," he wrote. "All I know is that as of Monday night, when I posed the question to a 49ers source with direct knowledge of the team’s plans, the words I kept hearing were, 'Anything’s possible.'" 

Silver wrote he'd heard from a back-channel-confidant that the 49ers did reach out to another team in the first week of April to gauge interest, and the team's general manager chose not to engage, partly because this is considered such a strong receiver class in the draft. 

As for the price to acquire the two-time 1,000-plus-yard receiver, who earned a Second Team All-Pro nomination in 2023, Silver said he heard from an executive that Aiyuk is available at the right price. He added that to this point, the cost is at least a 2024 first-round pick, which the same executive, whose team is in the market for a receiver, said was too much.

Silver added that all things being equal, the team would like to keep Aiyuk and he would like to remain with the team, but that still doesn't mean he won't be traded. Silver wrote that with big money deals due to Brock Purdy and others soon in San Francisco, the team will have to cut ties with some talented players. 

Silver said ultimately it will come down to what other teams decide to pony up in a trade and if the 49ers feel they can find a sufficient replacement in the draft.

Steelers Need To Fill Void At Wide Receiver

Whether it's with a big trade to get an established star like Aiyuk, or drafting a pass-catcher in the 2024 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh needs to fill out the wide receiver room. George Pickens stands alone as the team's only reliable option entering the draft. 

Khan said at the team's annual pre-draft press conference that he feels confident about the players at the position coming out of the draft to be able to find a young playmaker to pair with Pickens. Pittsburgh has a long history of drafting and developing wide receivers, so, understandably, they will probably look that way again. Even though Khan has only been the general manager since 2022, he's been with the organization much longer. 

Now, that also doesn't fully take a trade off the table. Khan has also shown a willingness to do things differently. If the price comes to a point where he believes it is right, maybe he pounces. Pickens and Aiyuk sound like a fantasy team of receivers, and it could still be a possibility. 

Do you think Pittsburgh should trade for Aiyuk? Comment below!

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