The Pittsburgh Steelers have held fans on the edge of their seats, as they patiently await a move to acquire a big-name wide receiver. Brandon Aiyuk's contract situation with the San Francisco 49ers hasn't gotten any better, and it seems the two sides are growing more frustrated with one another. Aiyuk has been tabbed as a trade candidate all offseason, but Pittsburgh needs to make a move for the All-Pro wide receiver soon before the price goes up.
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49ers wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk celebrate a score.
The general manager of the 49ers, John Lynch, has been adamant that the organization wants to get a deal done with Aiyuk. However, after extending a different receiver and selecting a receiver in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, it's hard to believe San Francisco is doing everything they can to get a deal done. Former Steelers executive Doug Whaley recently went on 93.7 The Fan and said Pittsburgh needs to make their move now before the price increases.
"Before the start of the season is a better chance than before the start of camp. Now, let's put on your John Lynch hat. Why would you trade him now? Wait until camp starts. There's going to be injuries. And guess what? Price just went up. So, that's why from a Steeler standpoint, if you want him, you better get him now, cause you're going to have to pay a lot more later."
Before every NFL season, there are a slew of devastating training camp injuries that keep players out for an extended period of time. This opens up obvious holes in various teams' rosters. Most training camp additions are moves to build depth in the lineup, but if a team is desperate enough after injuries they could make a splash for a player like Aiyuk.
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Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk during a game with the San Francisco 49ers.
The Steelers had serious interest in Aiyuk back around the start of the new league year. If that interest remains, the front office needs to make a move before team's report to camp. The more teams trying to acquire Aiyuk makes it worse for the Steelers. It will drive the price up, and Omar Khan will likely step away from the deal. Pittsburgh can't afford to give away too much of their future draft capital, especially when they would have to sign Aiyuk to a pricey extension.
Acquiring Aiyuk makes too much sense for the Steelers. The organization would have to give up a lot to make the deal happen, but it would prove to be effective in the long run. Pittsburgh lost its best route runner in Diontae Johnson, and Aiyuk could fill his shoes and then some. He could take most of the pressure off of George Pickens, which would open up the offense for Russell Wilson or Justin Fields.
Aside from the price of Aiyuk taking a leap if other wide receiver-needy teams join the trade talks, Pittsburgh should want to get this deal done soon to allow Aiyuk time to integrate into the offense. He will be working with new quarterbacks while learning a new offense, which could set him back if he is acquired right before the season.
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49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk tries to shake off defender.
Steelers Could Also Benefit By Waiting To Make A Trade
While the possibility of serious injuries happening throughout the league at the receiver position is high, it doesn't mean those team's will look to trade for a player at the level of Aiyuk. There are some free agent options out there that could join a team late in camp, like Hunter Renfrow or Michael Thomas.
Pittsburgh could be a beneficiary of waiting to trade for Aiyuk, especially if his contract situation continues on its current path. The 49ers are coming off of a Super Bowl appearance, and are looking to go back again in 2024. They don't want a distraction like this carrying itself into the season. If the two sides can't get a deal done, they will be forced to trade him, and it might not be for the haul they expect.
What do you think of Whaley's comments?
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