Steelers Could Be Beneficiaries Of The 49ers' Final Push To Sign Brandon Aiyuk

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been a part of the Brandon Aiyuk trade saga for what feels like an eternity. Conflicting reports come out day after day, and most of the time, it feels like the Steelers are just being used as leverage for Aiyuk to press the San Francisco 49ers for a better offer. The preseason is beginning to wrap up with each team having one more game left, and the regular season kicks off in less than three weeks. The 49ers, Steelers, and Aiyuk all want this to come to a conclusion - and that could be coming soon.

NFL insider Adam Schefter reported on Monday that he expects a conclusion to this saga to be reached before the 49ers' final preseason game, which is being played on Friday, August 23rd. The 49ers are a strong Super Bowl contender, and a distraction like this will only hurt the team if it carries into the regular season. Schefter then appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, where he shared some more about the Aiyuk situation.

"The 49ers know that they need Brandon Aiyuk out there, he's made a lot of plays for them over time. He has had a great run, and they want to get the deal done. They've made him multiple offers to try to keep him, but for whatever reason, that deal hasn't gotten done and that has allowed other teams to enter the fray with trade conversations. I think we are at the point now where we are going to start to get a push here, to see how this winds up. How it's resolved." 

Schefter speculates that a final push will be made by the 49ers to sign Aiyuk, and he has put his foot down so far. He won't accept anything less than what he thinks he deserves. The insider went on to give his opinion, and he thinks Aiyuk will likely stay in San Francisco. However, if this is the final push in the upcoming week and the 49ers want the deal to be done before their final preseason game, what happens if Aiyuk still doesn't agree? Pittsburgh has the framework laid down for a trade, and have already spoke with Aiyuk's representatives about an extension. 

Everything points to this saga ending in the coming week, it just depends if the 49ers are willing to give Aiyuk everything he is asking for. If they decide to trade him, they will be getting rid of a lot of offensive production, but it could be detrimental to allow this to drag out even more as Week 1 gets closer.

If San Francisco finally wants to capture their sixth Lombardi Trophy, a decision must be made soon. They have dragged this out for far too long, and it's their own fault they waited until nearly every other receiver around the league got paid.

Steelers Could Benefit From A Ton Of Pressure Being Placed On San Francisco

Aside from the Aiyuk situation becoming a concerning distraction if it leaks into the regular season, they also are in a contract dispute with perhaps their best offensive player. Trent Williams' hold out has been overshadowed by Aiyuk's, but it is just as important. Williams is older, and is certainly on the tail end of his career, but that hasn't stopped him from being one of the best tackles in the league.

Williams is a big reason for the success of Christian McCaffrey and the offense as a whole. The Aiyuk situation has kept the San Francisco front office from working out a deal. They won't know how much money they can offer Williams until they finish something up with Aiyuk, and vice versa. Had they decided to trade Aiyuk or work out a deal with him earlier in the offseason, this wouldn't be an issue. Now, if a deal can't be worked out with Aiyuk quickly, Pittsburgh could land the receiver before their final preseason game.

What do you think about the Steelers' chances to land Aiyuk? Let us know in the comments below!

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