Steelers More Likely To Land Deebo Samuel Than Any Other Receiver From The San Francisco 49ers

The Pittsburgh Steelers currently have one of the worst wide receiver rooms in the league. It's George Pickens leading the way, and then a bunch of borderline wide receiver threes that could maybe make an impact. Unless this unit absolutely shocks the coaching staff throughout Organization Team Activities (OTAs) and minicamp, General Manager Omar Khan needs to considered looking for outside help. Pittsburgh has already been attached to Brandon Aiyuk, who still has not received an extension from the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers are loaded at receiver. They have one of the best third options at receiver in the league in Jauan Jennings, a first-round pick in Ricky Pearsall, Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. The 2024 offseason was the offseason of paying wide receivers, as DeVonta Smith, Amon Ra St. Brown, Jaylen Waddle, and Justin Jefferson all got paid. Aiyuk is expected to get big money, but now the 49ers are at a disadvantage because they are behind the market since they waited to pay Aiyuk.

The two sides are still trying to get a deal done, but Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated isn't very hopeful.

"So good on the Vikings for taking care of Jefferson, and good on the Lions, Dolphins and Eagles for getting ahead of the market. And good luck to the San Francisco 49ers with Brandon Aiyuk and the Dallas Cowboys with CeeDee Lamb."

Both the 49ers and Dallas Cowboys are going to have to fork over a lot of money to their star receivers if they want to keep them past the 2024 season. This is why a team like the Detroit Lions is so smart for getting a deal with St. Brown done so early in the offseason. He didn't see what all the other receivers were getting, so he was at less of an advantage. Now, Aiyuk and Lamb can ask for an astronomical amount of money.

Steelers Are More Likely To Land Samuel

For most of the offseason, things have seemed as though the 49ers will be moving on from either Samuel or Aiyuk. Samuel is already under contract, while Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie deal and wants a multi-year extension. San Francisco drafted Pearsall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and already signed Jennings to a two-year deal during the 2024 offseason. It seems as though either Samuel or Aiyuk is out.

Breer touched on the complicated situation at wide receiver for the 49ers.

"The team, meanwhile, now has Deebo Samuel, Ricky Pearsall and Jennings under contract for the next two years after entering the season with only Samuel locked up past 2024. That gives the Niners some flexibility as they negotiate with Brandon Aiyuk—either to eventually part ways with him (and I don’t think they want to), or perhaps trade Samuel if they can reach an extension with Aiyuk."

Aiyuk is younger than Samuel, and is also a better pure route runner. Samuel provides more versatility, and has even been used as a running back. It all comes down to what the 49ers value more. 49ers General Manager, John Lynch, has been consistent throughout the offseason in saying that he wants to get a long-term deal done with Aiyuk. This deal would likely cost over $30 million a year, which could mean the departure of Samuel ahead of the 2024 season.

Samuel is a better option for Pittsburgh, and is definitely less of a commitment, assuming he stays on his current contract. If Pittsburgh were to trade for Aiyuk, they would have to give up a wealthy amount of draft capital while also signing Aiyuk to a long, expensive contract extension. 

On the other hand, Samuel is already under contract. He would cost roughly the same amount of draft capital, but he is already under contract through the 2025 season. Samuel has recorded over 5,000 yards throughout his career, and has scored 38 touchdowns. He is known for his run after the catch ability, but injuries have been a concern throughout his career as he has never played a full season.

Who you rather have? Samuel or Aiyuk? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation