The Pittsburgh Steelers have been going back and forth with the San Fransisco 49ers in an attempt to acquire wide receiver. Brandon Aiyuk. This is a situation that many fans have been impatiently waiting for a solution to. With all of the reports and rumors that have been thrown around, no one truly knows what is going on behind the scenes when it comes to Aiyuk's future.
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49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk walks off the field after a game.
The Steelers have been an option for Aiyuk since his appearance on The Pivot back in June, as he said that he could be in a Steelers uniform for the 2024 season. Unfortunately, the trade rumors and reports have been all over the place. Ian Rapoport, on NFL GameDay Kickoff on Saturday afternoon, gave an update on the Aiyuk saga.
“Now it seems the Pittsburgh Steelers are the most likely destination. They made a strong trade offer and they have made a strong contract to Brandon Aiyuk.”
The Steelers' offer, according to Rapoport's report, was a "strong trade offer" and "strong contract offer" to the 49ers and Aiyuk alike. With how this process has been going, another wrinkle came into play in the last 48 hours. Rapoport reported that San Fransisco and Aiyuk have reengaged in contract negotiations, in hopes to keep him home and compete for another Super Bowl together.
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Brandon Aiyuk looks on before a game with the 49ers.
When Aiyuk officially requested a trade from the 49ers, things started to heat up. At one point, the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, and the Steelers were all apparently calling John Lynch's phone dishing out offers. Unfortunately for both the Browns and Patriots, who reportedly both made strong offers to the 49ers, it was rumored that Aiyuk did not want to take his talents to either organization.
This has been a waiting game between the Steelers and 49ers. Omar Khan has proven that he will wait if he has to and will not budge. Khan did it when it came to trading for Justin Fields. At one point, some believed his asking price was a second-round pick and Khan was able to get him for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick.
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Steelers' Omar Khan speaks to the Pittsburgh media.
It is still unclear what exactly Khan offered San Fransisco for Aiyuk, but it would seem, in the eyes of Rapoport, that it was a strong enough offer to get the 49ers' attention. Lynch obviously still does not want to move Aiyuk, who was a major piece to their success in making it to the Super Bowl in 2023. San Fransisco still has the core players and is one of the favorites to make it back to the Super Bowl during the 2024 season.
Both the Steelers and 49ers likely want to get this resolved as soon as possible; whether it's a trade or Aiyuk re-signing back with the 49ers, any legitimate movement would put all the rumors to rest. As the season continues to creep closer, more pressure will be placed on San Fransisco to figure out what to do with Aiyuk, whether that is a new contract or a new home.
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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.
While many insiders like Mike Garafolo believe that Aiyuk will get traded to the Steelers, the waiting game seems like it will continue. Lynch could absolutely be leaking that they are working to get Aiyuk a new deal in hopes Khan ups his offer. This is a game of who will blink first.
Steelers Will Likely Keep Playing The Intense Waiting Game
Many eyes will stay on this situation, as this has become a very unusual trade scenario. Aiyuk is treating this process as more of a free agent, rather someone on the trade block. The biggest question is who is going to fold first between Lynch and Khan?
Will the Steelers up their offer to secure an All-Pro talent at a position they need help in or will the 49ers finally give into Aiyuk's contract demands and match him or even take Khan's current trade offer? Let us know what you think will happen with Aiyuk in the comments below.
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