NFL Insider Reveals Steelers Trade Offer And Contract Details In Nearly Completed Deal For Brandon Aiyuk

The Pittsburgh Steelers spent the majority of the offseason engaged in a delicate dance with the San Francisco 49ers for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. As the 2024 preseason came to a close, it was announced that Aiyuk and the team that drafted him had worked out an agreement for him to stay in the Bay Area. The four-year $120 million deal announced by Ian Rapoport crushed the dreams of many Steelers fans who saw Aiyuk as the missing piece to a (hopefully) much-improved offense. 

It is no surprise that numerous teams wanted to make Aiyuk a weapon on their offense. Rumors abounded that it wasn't just Pittsburgh, but also the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, and the Washington Commanders. However, those same rumors also said that Aiyuk had declined all offers except for the Steelers. Supposedly, the 49ers wanted a wide receiver, along with draft capital, back in return for Aiyuk, and that seems to be part of how things fell apart with Pittsburgh. 

According to Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated, the Steelers came the closest of all the mentioned teams. Aiyuk had been clear that he wasn't happy with the initial $26 million offered by the 49ers. San Francisco came back and offered him the current four-year deal, or $87 million for three years, but at the time, Aiyuk rejected both of them. 

"The Steelers came closest to acquiring Aiyuk," wrote Breer. "They refused to give up a current player, but were willing to part with second and third-round picks. The interesting thing is the money wasn't as good with the Steelers, who didn't want to go past what T.J. Watt makes ($28 million APY) and as such offered Aiyuk $27.7 million APY. The Niners made calls to about a dozen teams to see if they could flip the third-rounder somewhere else to land a veteran receiver to replace Aiyuk in the lineup."

Breer added that he doesn't think that Aiyuk ever wanted to leave San Francisco in the first place. After all, Aiyuk is a West Coast native who grew up in Nevada. He said he recognizes how hard it is to make it to a Super Bowl, a feat the 49ers and Aiyuk accomplished in 2023. Aiyuk's best shot of making it again in the near future is likely to stay with his current team. 

The fact that Aiyuk went back and accepted the earlier deal offered to him is further proof that he didn't want to leave. After all, he took that "no fluff" deal in a state well known for its huge tax implications. The only reason Aiyuk was even willing to consider another team was because he built such a good relationship with Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin during his 2020 draft process. Breer said that Aiyuk and Tomlin spent a great deal of time talking via Zoom. 

Steelers' George Pickens Looking To Win Big

The Steelers will now enter the season with a slightly concerning receiver room. They have George Pickens as their top receiver and no well-defined second option, but they have a lot of depth from players like Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III. 

Pickens earned a bit of a bad rap during his first two seasons on the team. He and fellow receiver, former Steeler Diontae Johnson, were accused of being "divas' who displayed immature behavior. Now, as the top dog, Pickens needs to show that he has matured and separate himself from that negative talk. 

One of the biggest factors has to be how close Pickens is to earning himself a big contract. He has certainly shown he has talent, as he is one of the best at making contested catches in the league.  

Do you think the Steelers refused to pay Aiyuk more than Watt? Click to comment below. 

#SteelerNation