The Pittsburgh Steelers have been caught up in an ongoing saga involving San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. After trading away Diontae Johnson early in the offseason, concerns about the wide receiver depth behind George Pickens emerged. While Pickens has the potential to be a legit star, the lack of depth behind him raised alarms among pundits, leading to numerous wide receiver rumors throughout the offseason.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk looks on during a game.
The Aiyuk situation has become somewhat tiresome, with speculation suggesting that he may be using the Steelers as leverage to secure a better deal from the 49ers. Nonetheless, reports indicate that the Steelers remain actively involved in the pursuit of Aiyuk.
Another intriguing possibility for the Steelers is Washington Commanders star wide receiver, Terry McLaurin. The news about Aiyuk has been inconsistent: at one point, the Steelers were on the brink of a deal, only for the 49ers to appear optimistic about retaining him.
Recently, the Commanders, who were previously out of the mix, have reentered the conversation. This development could potentially open up a new opportunity for the Steelers to acquire McLaurin and further strengthen their wide receiver corps.
Over the next couple of days, we'll be watching to see if the #Commanders try to add another WR after trading Jahan Dotson, who wasn’t a good fit for them.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 23, 2024
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Ari Meirov reported that the Commanders were initially not interested in trading for Aiyuk because the 49ers wanted McLaurin in return. The Commanders were unwilling to part with McLaurin. Aiyuk has expressed that the Steelers and Commanders are his top choices if he leaves the 49ers.
The Commanders had offered Jahan Dotson, but the 49ers declined. With the Commanders reentering discussions with the 49ers, speculation arises about whether they might reconsider making McLaurin available. If McLaurin does become expendable, the Commanders and 49ers might not need the Steelers’ involvement at all. The 49ers have been seeking a wide receiver in return, and McLaurin was already a valuable asset for them, suggesting a straightforward trade between the Commanders and 49ers could occur without the Steelers.
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Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (#17) runs out of the tunnel prior to playing a professional football game at home.
Alternatively, there remains a slim possibility that the Steelers could be part of a complex three-team trade that brings McLaurin to Pittsburgh. While the specifics of such a trade would be intricate and speculative, it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility.
The Commanders clearly want Aiyuk, and with their newfound confidence in quarterback Jayden Daniels, they are reluctant to part with McLaurin. However, the connection between Daniels and Aiyuk is strong as they used to be college teammates at Arizona State. Maybe the Commanders value Aiyuk more because of that connection and would consider making McLaurin available.
Having recently traded Dotson, they may see moving McLaurin as counterproductive. This is similar to the Steelers' stance, as they are also keen on keeping their receivers. The 49ers have a strong desire to get a wide receiver in return which has been the hold up for the Steelers not making the trade happen.
Steelers' Omar Khan Is Not To Be Doubted
The Steelers still need help at wide receiver, and both Aiyuk and McLaurin would represent significant upgrades to their roster. General Manager Omar Khan has demonstrated a willingness to be aggressive in pursuing improvements, proving that he is not to be underestimated.
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Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan speaks to members of the media at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, IN.
If the Commanders are truly intent on acquiring Aiyuk, there could be an opportunity for Khan to orchestrate a deal that brings McLaurin to Pittsburgh. While the path to such a trade is uncertain and unlikely, Khan has shown that he is always prepared to explore any possibility.
For Pittsburgh to effectively get involved in a potential trade, Khan would need to enhance his offer. If Khan is willing to part with additional draft picks, it could make the deal more appealing. Khan hasn't wanted to give up a first-rounder, but maybe he would offer it as the situation becomes more dire.
One possible scenario is that Khan sweetens the offer to the 49ers, facilitating a trade where the Commanders receive Aiyuk, the Steelers acquire McLaurin, and the 49ers get a first-round pick or another valuable asset from Pittsburgh. This arrangement could align the interests of all parties involved and make the trade more feasible.
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