The Pittsburgh Steelers have been heavily involved in trade rumors this offseason, particularly concerning wide receivers. The name that has surfaced most frequently is Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers. Aiyuk, unhappy playing out the final year of his contract, has made it clear he wants a new, lucrative deal. Though he will become a free agent after the 2024 season, he is pushing for a new contract now.
Ron Jenkins / ap photo
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk holds his hands up as he celebrates a score against the Cowboys.
The 49ers have been trying to negotiate a new contract with Aiyuk, but have yet to reach an agreement. Consequently, Aiyuk has requested a trade, and the Steelers have been prominently linked to him throughout the offseason. On Monday, reports indicated that Pittsburgh was close to finalizing a deal. However, by Tuesday, conflicting reports suggested that the Steelers were no longer in the running. A later update confirmed that Pittsburgh was still actively pursuing Aiyuk.
Many Steelers fans have been wondering about the delay. Andrew Fillipponi, known for his confidence on social media about the trade, revealed that the issue lies in the players the 49ers are requesting. They are seeking different players than those Pittsburgh is willing to offer.
Here is what I've heard the Steelers are willing to put into a trade for Brandon Aiyuk:
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) August 6, 2024
-Dan Moore Jr
-James Daniels
-Calvin Austin
-2nd round pick
I've heard the 49ers want one of these back in trade for Aiyuk:
-1st round pick
-Pat Freiermuth
-George Pickens
The Steelers have reportedly offered the 49ers Dan Moore Jr., James Daniels, Calvin Austin III, and a second-round pick for Aiyuk. While the 49ers are not satisfied with this offer, Aiyuk is intrigued by the contract the Steelers would provide him if the trade goes through. The situation is complicated because, although Aiyuk does not have a no-trade clause, he has some say in whether he accepts a new contract from his potential new team.
The 49ers are losing leverage in negotiations, especially since the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots have allegedly presented more appealing offers. However, Aiyuk is reportedly not interested in the contracts or playing for those teams.
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Wide receiver George Pickens makes a one-handed catch for the Pittsburgh Steelers with Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. defending.
The 49ers are seeking at least one of the following from any trade involving Aiyuk: George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, or a first-round pick. The Steelers are unwilling to part with Pickens or Freiermuth, as their primary goal in pursuing Aiyuk is to strengthen their weak wide receiver corps. Trading away either Pickens or Freiermuth would undermine this objective. This could be why the trade discussions have stalled in this complex scenario.
The Steelers appear willing to part with Austin, likely to preserve more valuable assets and because acquiring Aiyuk would be a worthwhile trade-off. The Steelers have reportedly made a substantial offer to the 49ers, and it seems unlikely that Omar Khan will sweeten the deal further.
Steelers Could Add A First Round Pick To End The Brandon Aiyuk Saga
One potential compromise could involve swapping the second-round pick for a first-round pick, with sending Moore, Daniels, and Austin. This could potentially persuade the 49ers to proceed with the trade, but it would require the Steelers to give up more than they are currently comfortable with.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk stares off during a home game in San Francisco.
The Aiyuk trade rumors have been prominent all offseason, and adding him to the Steelers’ roster would create one of the most dynamic wide receiver duos in the league alongside Pickens. The coming days will be crucial to see if a resolution between Aiyuk and the 49ers is reached.
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