Steelers' Compensatory Pick Situation Could Have Strong Impact On Brandon Aiyuk Trade

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly attempting to finalize a deal with the San Francisco 49ers to finally bring their star receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, to the Steel City. Negotiations are still ongoing, but the teams are struggling to find a middle ground in terms of compensation. With a potential blockbuster deal like this, both teams are trying to find a way to gain leverage and prove why their offer is actually fair. There is a lot for both teams' general managers to take into consideration, but Omar Khan may have an ace up his sleeve to help get the deal done. 

While making an appearance on 93.7 The Fan, Ray Fittipaldo brought up an idea that Khan might be considering with his attempt to find that middle ground while losing as few pieces as possible.

"If [the San Francisco 49ers] want more draft capital, maybe it's a second and a third [round pick]. The good news for the Steelers is Dan Moore, they're not going to re-sign him. James Daniels, they're not going to re-sign him. They will be set up to have a few [compensatory] picks [in 2026], and likely in the middle rounds. If you do have to give up another draft pick, I suppose it wouldn't be the end of the world."

The Steelers could look to their incoming free agents to help them with the trade. Dan Moore Jr. and James Daniels have been rumored to be in the mix for compensation due to the fact that the team may not bring them back in 2025. However, even if they don't get traded at all, the Steelers will be able to let them walk in free agency and collect compensatory picks, depending on how much they sign for. 

The Steelers will not be able to capitalize on compensatory picks in 2025 however, as they did not lose any big pieces in free agency. Out of all the players that are eligible to warrant compensatory picks, Armon Watts got the highest contract, which was just $3 million for 2024. That's not going to do anything for the Steelers, especially with the spending spree that they had in the offseason.

If/when guys like Daniels and Moore walk away in the 2025 offseason, the Steelers could then receive some compensatory picks. They may not end up spending a lot in free agency, especially with the contract that they will have to give to Aiyuk. If they can give up a 2026 mid-rounder in the deal, the extra draft picks from losing their pending free agents could help replenish their potential draft selections. 

Steelers' Other Potential Free Agents That Could Generate Compensatory Picks

Cameron Heyward has been asking for a new contract for a while now, and if the Steelers won't give him what he wants, he could end up chasing money and sign with another team. Losing him could easily result in an extra pick, since he has been the captain and vocal leader of the defense for many years now. That could help sway a team into overpaying for him, whether he's on the decline or not. 

Najee Harris is also slated to be a free agent, and after the team rejected his fifth-year option, it seems more likely that he will walk. The running back market is tricky, however, and there's no telling if Harris will be able to get a huge contract, or if he will just have to settle for a short-term contract with whichever team is willing to bring him in. 

There are plenty of other key contributors that may be going into free agency, like Elandon Roberts, Pat Freiermuth, all three free agent quarterbacks, and others. The Steelers can't keep all of them around, especially if they have to pay Aiyuk. The Steelers should be able to earn some compensatory picks to help out with the massive bill that they may have to pay to acquire the 49ers' star receiver.

What do you think about the Steelers using future compensatory picks to help them make a decision on a trade now? Let us know in the comments.

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