Steelers’ Possible Trade For 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk Faces Harsh Criticism Because They Have “2 Bad Quarterbacks”

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been caught in a drawn-out saga regarding a potential trade with the San Francisco 49ers for star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk for most of the offseason. As the season approaches, the possibility of a trade for Aiyuk has dominated NFL discussions. Despite several reports suggesting the Steelers were close to finalizing a deal, nothing has materialized. Now, the 49ers are reportedly nearing an extension to keep Aiyuk in San Francisco.

This saga has been full of twists and turns, leaving many football fans—and even Steelers fans—eager for a resolution and clarity on where Aiyuk will play in 2024. NFL media personality Mike Greenberg shared his thoughts on the situation during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday.

Given Aiyuk’s strong connection to the Steelers, Greenberg questioned whether it even makes sense for Pittsburgh to pursue him. He argues that it might not, citing the team’s struggles at quarterback as a significant issue. While his statement is bold, Greenberg admitted he hopes to be proven wrong.

“Is Pittsburgh that? That’s a really interesting question because while I remain a Justin Fields fan, I have to acknowledge at some point the doubt creeps in. The Steelers may have replaced one bad quarterback with two bad quarterbacks. That may be what has happened here.”

Greenberg is a strong supporter of the Steelers’ new quarterback, Justin Fields. He’s openly admitted to being a huge fan and genuinely believes Fields still has the potential to succeed in the NFL. However, the more Greenberg watches Fields play, the harder it becomes for him to confidently view Fields as a future star in the league.

Before acquiring Fields, the Steelers signed nine-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson to a one-year deal at the veteran minimum. Despite Wilson’s impressive resume, Greenberg has reservations about him being the solution at quarterback for Pittsburgh, fearing that he might struggle alongside Fields. Due to Greenberg's doubts about the Steelers' new quarterbacks, he thinks it’s unwise for Pittsburgh to invest heavily in Aiyuk.

“I would love to be wrong because I am a Justin Fields fan, supporter, and believer. I continue to hope that things work out well for him… To answer your question, I don’t think [Brandon Aiyuk] is going to get traded. I think if he were to be traded, it would have happened already.”

Pat McAfee and Tone Digz couldn’t resist poking fun at Greenberg, laughing as they reminded him that he should know all about poor quarterback play—being an avid New York Jets fan. The Jets have struggled at the quarterback position in recent years, though that should change with a healthy Aaron Rodgers.

Steelers Will See Improved Quarterback Play In 2024

The Steelers’ quarterback play in the 2023 season was historically poor. Kenny Pickett was the primary starter until an injury sidelined him, leaving the team with a dismal output of just 13 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions from the three quarterbacks who saw action that year. Improvement at the quarterback position in 2024 seems almost inevitable for Pittsburgh.

Wilson, after two difficult seasons with the Denver Broncos, joins the Steelers confident that he can have an elite season and provide stability at quarterback for the next few years. Wilson has made it clear that he wants to be in Pittsburgh for more than just one year. His play during the 2024 season will determine his future.

Meanwhile, Fields is eager to prove he belongs as a starting quarterback in the NFL. The competition between Wilson and Fields for the starting job is heating up, with Wilson holding a slight edge. As the season approaches, it will be interesting to see if Fields can close the gap. The quarterback play will surely improve, but the question remains: will it be enough to end the Steelers’ playoff drought in 2024?

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