Examining What A Steelers Massive Sign-And-Trade For Brandon Aiyuk Might Look Like

Pittsburgh Steelers fans have to be sick of the name Brandon Aiyuk by now. The disgruntled wide receiver has officially requested a trade and wants out of the San Francisco 49ers' organization. There are certainly several teams that will be interested in acquiring the 26-year-old, but that doesn't mean that the franchise that drafted him will cave and deal him without an absolute haul. There are several different ways Steelers General Manager Omar Khan could end up landing Aiyuk, but the official asking price hasn't been reported. It will be interesting to see, if he is moved, which team offers the best package.

Examining a sign-and-trade on Pittsburgh's end may not be as complicated as many think. If 49ers General Manager John Lynch is set on trading Aiyuk, the Steelers are in one of the better positions to acquire him. The more complex part of the situation is giving San Francisco a good enough package, while also satisfying Aiyuk's contract demands. There will be several moving pieces to the entire situation.

1.) Draft Capital

Starting with the obvious, the 49ers are going to want one or multiple draft picks if Aiyuk is being dealt away. It's hard to imagine Khan would be willing to part with a first-round pick, so it comes down to if other teams will be willing to do so. First-round selections are highly desired, but could an offer of a couple of day two picks be looked at as more valuable?

Sending a second and a fourth could also entice Lynch, but the Steelers are not sure if a fourth-round selection will be in the cards come 2025. If Justin Fields plays 51 percent or more of the offensive snaps, Pittsburgh will pass along a fourth-rounder to the Chicago Bears. This could lead to Khan offering picks in 2026, or eventually giving in and sending a 2025 first-rounder over to the 49ers.

2.) Aiyuk's Contract

Aiyuk is coming off a career season. He hauled in 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. Throughout his career, he has been a touchdown factory; catching 25 scores in 62 games played. He wants to be paid like one of the best pass-catchers in the game and given recent events, that might require giving him around $30 million per year or more.

This would be extremely uncharacteristic for the Steelers, but nothing has remained the norm with Khan running the show. The cap space in future seasons is there if the front office wants to use it, but was Aiyuk just the product of an incredible system in San Francisco? If an organization sells Lynch on pieces involved in a trade, it will then be imperative to make sure Aiyuk and his agent believe he is getting what he is worth in a new contract.

3.) Steelers Might Have To Give Up A Player To Land Aiyuk

Pittsburgh is home to the highest-paid defense in the NFL. The 49ers are not short of stars in every aspect of the game, but if Pittsburgh refuses to give up a first-round pick, it may take a player thrown in to finalize a deal to bring in Aiyuk. Who that player may be is anybody's guess, but the Steelers don't like to give up guys whom were drafted by, and developed, within the organization.

Khan has been very creative during his time as the Steelers' general manager and making an aggressive move to land Aiyuk might be no different. Pittsburgh needs a play-maker to go to work opposite of George Pickens. The players surrounding him now might not be able to draw enough attention from defenses to allow Pickens to thrive. Aiyuk joining the unit would turn Pittsburgh's offense into a much more dynamic group.

Do you think the Steelers can work with the 49ers to execute a trade for Aiyuk? Let us know in the comments below!

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