By Dianna Russini, Matt Barrows and Mike DeFabo
According to league sources who spoke with The Athletic on Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Francisco 49ers are still in trade negotiations over wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. However, an agreement has not yet been reached.
According to a league source, the 49ers are looking for a receiver in exchange for Aiyuk as part of a trade since they have not been satisfied with the Steelers’ offerings up to this point.
On Tuesday, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan verified that Aiyuk was granted authorization by the organization to discuss possible terms of a new contract with other teams.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have emerged as a potential destination, but the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots were the main suitors over the weekend, according numerous sources. But it seems that the Patriots gave up on trying to get Aiyuk since he is not keen on playing in New England.
Prior to Tuesday, the 49ers had insisted that they intended to keep Aiyuk, who concluded the previous season with a career-high 1,342 receiving yards, but they also stated that they would entertain offers in regards to a possible trade. Since training camp began, Aiyuk has been a “hold-in”; he shows up for meetings but has not participated in any workouts since the offseason program started in the spring.
Following the trade of veteran Pro Bowl wide out Diontae Johnson this offseason, the Steelers have a clear need at wide receiver. George Pickens is currently atop the depth chart, with many questions marks trailing him.
A question about whether the Steelers would still be interested in adding a receiver to complete the group was posed to head coach Mike Tomlin on Wednesday.
“I’ll let you guys speculate on that,” he said, with a grin.
Aiyuk made it apparent in late June that, should he decide not to go back to San Francisco, Pittsburgh would be one of his top destinations on “The Pivot Podcast,” which is hosted by former Steeler Ryan Clark. Whether Pittsburgh has the necessary return to make a deal work is the key question, though.
The Steelers do not have much to offer unless they are willing to add Pickens, who is entering the third year of his rookie deal and is only beginning to realize his full potential. This is especially true if the San Francisco 49ers are seeking for a receiver to replace Aiyuk and help them win in this window. Although Pickens’ rookie contract and the 49ers’ salary cap might work well together, Pittsburgh’s wide receiver issues would not necessarily be resolved if the Steelers cut him.
Calvin Austin III and Van Jefferson are the two most promising receivers behind Pickens. Austin, a five-foot-nine former college track star, may have a greater potential. But Shanahan’s scheme usually leans toward bigger, stronger receivers who can block well and stay consistent over the middle. Austin is not like that.
At six feet one inch and a forty-yard sprint time of 4.39 right out of college, Jefferson is a bigger target. He has not even gone close to replicating such output since his outstanding second season in 2021, when he recorded 50 receptions for 802 yards and six touchdowns. He just finished a 20-reception, 209-yard season playing for the Rams and Falcons.
Regarding potential receiving threats, tight end Pat Freiermuth possesses the skill set to potentially enhance a trade deal. He is now in contract negotiations for his own extension in Pittsburgh as he approaches the fourth and final year of his rookie deal. He would also be a major player to cut from the roster, given how frequently tight ends are used by new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Aside from receivers, the Steelers have a handful of linemen who might entice the 49ers, and Pittsburgh could always offer draft capital, too. But if the 49ers absolutely want a receiver, it would be hard to replace Aiyuk’s production with the options on the Steelers’ roster.
(Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
