The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking into pursuing a sign-and-trade for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, according to Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan.
Earlier this week, Gerry Dulac of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said that the Steelers were considering making a play for a top-tier wide out, and Aiyuk was immediately speculated as an option.
Apparently, Pittsburgh is, in fact, preparing to make a run at the 49ers star.
Of course, just because the Steelers are targeting Aiyuk does not necessarily mean San Francisco will be equally willing to give him up.
Aiyuk is coming off of a spectacular 2023 campaign in which he played 16 games and hauled in 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, emerging as the Niners’ clear No. 1 receiver over Deebo Samuel.
The 49ers made it all the way to the Super Bowl before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs, so you would think the team would want to hold on to Aiyuk next season.
But, it’s more complicated than that.
Aiyuk is entering the final year of his deal, and given San Francisco’s financial constraints, it may be unable to afford to retain him.
Even Aiyuk himself has alluded to the possibility of leaving the Niners and does not seem to be beholden to the franchise if he can get more money elsewhere.
The 26-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Arizona State, was selected by the 49ers with the 25th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.
After a couple of solid seasons to begin his career, Aiyuk broke out in 2022, catching 78 passes for 1,015 yards and eight scores. He continued his ascension in 2023.
It would surely take a hefty package for Pittsburgh to pry Brandon Aiyuk away from San Francisco, but with the Steelers signing Russell Wilson, they may be willing to pay that price in order to make a run at a championship in 2024.
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