The Pittsburgh Steelers have been linked to nearly every wide receiver available this offseason. This stems from their decision to trade away star wide receiver, Diontae Johnson. Reports indicate that Pittsburgh is eager to pair an exceptional pass-catcher with George Pickens. However, they have yet to succeed in this pursuit.
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson allows a touchdown to Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 of 2023 during a contest at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
Several NFL insiders believe Pittsburgh will make a significant wide receiver trade before the season begins. The San Francisco 49ers' receivers have frequently been mentioned in potential trades with Pittsburgh, with Brandon Aiyuk being the most connected name. Aiyuk has been seeking a new, highly-priced deal from the 49ers. In a recently leaked social media video, Aiyuk was seen talking to his former college teammate Jayden Daniels about how seemingly, the 49ers don't want him back. This video has reignited hope in Steeler Nation for a potential trade for Aiyuk.
On Thursday morning, Pittsburgh media personality Andrew Fillipponi took to social media to share his insights on the Steelers' pursuit of Aiyuk. While many Pittsburgh fans believe the money Aiyuk would command is the hold-up in trade talks, Fillipponi offered a different perspective.
Brandon Aiyuk is absolutely on the Steelers radar. They wanted him before the draft. They restructured Highsmith’s deal. The $ isn’t the issue. It’s will SF trade him. And what do the Steelers have to give up in the deal. This is real.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) June 20, 2024
The Steelers have shown strong interest in Aiyuk throughout the offseason. Reports even suggested that on draft day, Pittsburgh believed they had secured a deal with the 49ers for Aiyuk, but something caused the trade to stall. Steelers General Manager Omar Khan has taken a notably bold approach this offseason, unafraid to make daring moves, and trading for Aiyuk would be one of the boldest.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A7671-544x306.jpg "Steelers Omar Khan")
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan signs for and meets with fans during the team's 2023 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
A trade with the 49ers for Aiyuk would require Pittsburgh to give up significant assets. Additionally, they would need to offer Aiyuk a substantial contract, as he is one of the league's top wide receivers, commanding around $25-$30 million in salary. While this is a considerable amount to pay for a wide receiver, pairing Aiyuk with Pickens would significantly enhance the Steelers' roster.
Steelers Trading For Brandon Aiyuk Would Complete Historic Offseason
Pittsburgh has made improvements across almost every position this offseason, with the wide receiver position being the primary concern among fans. Successfully trading for Aiyuk would elevate the Steelers' wide receiver group from one of the weakest in the league to one of the strongest.
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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.
Aiyuk was drafted by the 49ers in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft and has played four seasons in San Francisco. During that time, he has amassed 269 receptions for 3,931 receiving yards and 25 receiving touchdowns. Additionally, Aiyuk has scored two rushing touchdowns, totaling 27 touchdowns in his four-year career. He thrived in San Francisco's offensive system, but if traded to Pittsburgh, he would be entering a vastly different environment, one that even Pittsburgh fans find uncertain.
This offseason, the Steelers hired Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, who aims to implement a run-heavy attack complemented by a play-action passing game. Adding Aiyuk would significantly boost the Steelers' prospects for the 2024 season. However, the main obstacle is not the salary they would have to pay Aiyuk, but rather the significant assets they would need to give up to acquire him. Steelers fans will continue to hope that Khan can orchestrate a major trade to bring Aiyuk to Pittsburgh.
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