The Pittsburgh Steelers have been involved in wide receiver rumors throughout the offseason. The rumors started after the Steelers decided to trade away Diontae Johnson. This led many to believe that the team would be looking for a replacement to fill the void left in the wide receiver room by Johnson.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers Diontae Johnson (18) and George Pickens (14) celebrate a score.
There have been reports that the Steelers have been working on a deal at the wide receiver position. The goal was, and still is, to find a standout wide receiver to complement George Pickens. The San Francisco 49ers have been the team most frequently mentioned as a potential trade partner for the Steelers. The 49ers drafted Aiyuk and have expressed their desire to make a deal with him. However, a leaked video showed Aiyuk expressing unhappiness and stating that he was told the team didn't want him back.
This has reignited rumors about a potential trade between the 49ers and Steelers for Aiyuk. NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah shared on his social media that the Steelers would be a good fit for Aiyuk.
If Brandon Aiyuk is truly available via trade (don’t know) I could make a strong argument Pittsburgh would be a perfect match.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) June 17, 2024
The 49ers are facing a difficult decision. They need to decide how to allocate their finances and it appears that Aiyuk is unhappy with the team's approach. Aiyuk is one of the top wide receivers in the league and could command a salary in the $25-$30 million range. If the Steelers pursue him, they would have to pay a hefty amount and give up significant assets to acquire him in a trade.
There is debate on whether the Steelers should even consider pursuing Aiyuk due to the high cost. Their current wide receiver group is ranked towards the bottom of the league, causing concern among fans and analysts. The question remains whether investing such a large sum of money in one player is worthwhile.
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (#11) signals in the direction of an official to confirm he is lined up properly before a snap during a professional football game.
Many argue that the Steelers should take the risk if possible. This move could potentially position the Steelers favorably for the 2024 season. While they have made upgrades in other positions, the receiver position remains a concern. Aiyuk could be seen as the missing piece for the Steelers' Super Bowl aspirations in 2024. Having a wide receiver lineup with both Pickens and Aiyuk would be intimidating for opposing teams.
Steelers Getting Brandon Aiyuk Would Finish A Tremendous Offseason
Adding to the mix are the improvements in the quarterback room, the offensive line, and the system, which features new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith. The Steelers have a loaded defense with veterans and playmakers at every position, along with several improvements on special teams. The team seems to be in win-now mode. Adding Aiyuk could be viewed as the final piece to get the Steelers back in the Super Bowl talks.
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49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk running with the football against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Aiyuk has been very productive, coming off a 2023 season where he caught 75 receptions for 1,342 receiving yards and scored seven touchdowns. He achieved this in one of the best offenses in the NFL, whereas the Steelers had one of the worst offenses in 2023. It will be interesting to see how Aiyuk would fit into the Steelers' new offense. No one knows exactly what to expect with Smith in charge, but it is safe to assume that Aiyuk would make a significant impact. Steelers fans are hopeful for a big trade at wide receiver before the 2024 season starts.
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