"Ain't Happening": Insider Shuts Down Any Chance Of Steelers Pursuing Controversial Wide Receiver

The Pittsburgh Steelers may have finally fortified their wide receiver corps after an active 2026 offseason. DK Metcalf will now be joined by Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Germie Berard, which could completely turn the tide for the positional group. There is still some minor concern about the depth behind the trio, however, as Roman Wilson would likely need to step up if one of the top three playmakers couldn't suit up for one game, or multiple. As the team prepares for mandatory minicamp to kick off, plenty of speculation has surrounded the front office's hypothetical move to bring in another contributor.

General Manager Omar Khan has not been shy when exploring the trade and free agency markets since being promoted in 2022. He did it once again when Pittman was acquired back in March. The fan base has really gotten a taste of how aggressive he is willing to be due to him seeking out long-term solutions at wide receiver for several years in a row.

It is no secret that the Steelers were close to acquiring Brandon Aiyuk back in the 2024 offseason. A deal was close to getting done until he agreed to sign an extension with the San Francisco 49ers instead. The wideout would go on to tear his ACL and miss the majority of that year. Then, he missed all of 2025 as well after the organization voided all of his guarantees due to concerns about his commitment to rehabilitation.

The disgruntled pass-catcher has yet to be released as the 49ers continue to search for a trade partner. At some point, however, he is likely to be sent packing if no one wants to give up draft capital for him. Gerry Dulac hosted a fan chat for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Wednesday and was asked about the possibility of the front office pursuing Aiyuk. The insider shut it down rather quickly.

"Two thoughts: They don't need another receiver, especially a high-priced one like Aiyuk. That ain't happening," Dulac wrote. "And, they are not interested in seeing what they have for 2027. They are interested in what they have in 2026."

Aiyuk hasn't played competitively in almost two full years, which would give any organization second thoughts about potentially acquiring him. A trade seems unlikely for the wide receiver because of his health and issues with the 49ers and, even if he is released, it doesn't appear as if the Steelers will be the ones reaching out to his agent in order to inquire about his services.

Dulac is correct that the Steelers don't necessarily need another wideout. This is especially true because the unit is healthy entering the offseason program. Things can change quickly, however, which then might provide an opportunity for a free agent or trade candidate to find himself in the Steel City. Aiyuk, though, is a different story because he has not played in a long time and was notably causing some issues for San Francisco.

If Pittsburgh did decide to bring in a veteran pass-catcher, it likely wouldn't be a big name like Aiyuk or DeAndre Hopkins. With that said, any transaction made by the Steelers would be expected to happen sometime after Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp conclude. The coaching staff wants to see what it has with the current collective prior to making any kind of sizable addition to the depth chart.

Steelers Are Trusting Mike McCarthy To Help The Offense

Mike McCarthy wasn't simply hired because he is from Pittsburgh. The team has lacked a successful and consistent offense for some time now. The hope is that the offensive guru can come in and take the unit to the next level. This would make the defense a lot more comfortable and, hopefully, lead to a better overall output. The Steelers have a chance to be a revamped group in 2026, and McCarthy will look to get the best out of the wide receivers currently under contract.

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