Omar Khan Could Be On The Brink Of A Massive Win For The Steelers After Big NFC News

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been a team that is constantly mentioned in various wide receiver rumors around the NFL. Whenever a pass-catcher is mentioned as a player that might be available, the Steelers are usually mentioned as a potential landing spot. The Steelers have needed help at the position for a few years now, but the franchise has not been able to acquire more than one high-end wide receiver. Currently, the team's top wideout is DK Metcalf. The organization also parted ways with George Pickens during the 2025 offseason as General Manager Omar Khan traded him to the Dallas Cowboys.

One wide receiver the Steelers seemed extremely close to acquiring was Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers. It was a long and drawn out saga during the 2024 offseason as the wide receiver held out while awaiting an extension from the organization, but it did seem like he was going to be traded at many different points. He got a deal done with the organization near the end of training camp, which all but ended the chances of the Steelers acquiring. However, things have not gone well since Aiyuk signed his new deal and he suffered a season-ending injury early on in 2024.

Aiyuk has yet to return to the field, and it seems like he and the organization could be moving towards a separation. NFL reporters Michael Silver and Dianna Russini recently wrote for The Athletic that the wide receiver and the franchise are not on good terms.

"Aiyuk, sources say, has failed to attend meetings and declined to participate in other team activities in recent months, and the 49ers have grown increasingly frustrated with the receiver’s lack of communication." Silver wrote.

Aiyuk tore his ACL and MCL in October of the 2024 season, and he still has not returned to practice or any sort of football activities. His presence has grown scarce in San Francisco, and the organization is tired of the clear lack of effort. Before the 2025 season began it was expected that Aiyuk would miss a couple of games, but now it doesn't seem like he is going to play in 2025 at all.

Things have not gone well since he signed his new extension, which makes Khan look like a genius for not getting a deal done with the 49ers. San Francisco wanted a first-round pick in exchange for Aiyuk, and Pittsburgh would have had to get an extension done with the wide receiver as well. It would have been a risky move, but it is one Pittsburgh couldn't get done, thankfully. Silver wrote more about the situation in San Francisco, and he reported that the 49ers have voided parts of Aiyuk's deal.

"The 49ers, sources say, responded by voiding the guaranteed money in Aiyuk’s contract for 2026, asserting that the absences amounted to a failure to fulfill his contractual obligations." Silver wrote. "Aiyuk, according to multiple league sources, told NFL Players Association representatives that he did not want to fight the move via an official grievance. That would clear the way for his expected release at season’s end."

Players usually appeal when teams void guaranteed money in contracts, but Aiyuk is choosing not to. It seems as though the receiver is aware that he is checked out from the team, and he would probably welcome a split.

Steelers' Omar Khan Can Now Buy Low

Pittsburgh was very interested in Aiyuk and wanted to get a deal done, but clearly that never happened. Now, Khan could look like a genius. Rather than giving up a first-round pick back in 2024, he could possibly acquire Aiyuk during the offseason for much cheaper. The franchise will certainly try to trade him once the 2025 season concludes so it can potentially get something for him, but teams may stay away from Aiyuk as he now seems like damaged goods. There is a chance Aiyuk could go for as low as a Day 3 pick, and his release is also possible during the 2026 offseason. If he somehow lands in Pittsburgh, it would be a great look for the freshly-extended Khan.

What do you think is going to happen in San Francisco? Let us know in the comments below!

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