The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly considering to trade for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, according to rumours that have been circulating over the past several days. I believe the Steelers shouldn’t make the blockbuster trade for the following reasons.
Aiyuk Brandon
The NFL drafted Brandon Aiyuk in the 2020 draft. The San Francisco 49ers chose him with the 25th overall pick. Over 1,000 yards have been gained by Aiyuk in his last two seasons. Brandon experienced his finest season to date in 2023. For the niners, Aiyuk accumulated over 1300 yards and seven touchdowns.
The 49ers have already exercised their option to retain him for one more year on his rookie contract because he was a first-round selection. Accordingly, Aiyuk will require a new contract after 2024 even though he is expected to play for the 49ers this season. In order to avoid having to pay him, the Niners may try to move him this season. Given the size of the wide receiver market at the moment, Aiyuk’s contract is highly expensive. The yearly contract would probably be between $20 and $25 million.
The Steelers of Pittsburgh
The Steelers had an incredible offseason, fully revamping their quarterback room and adding a tonne of important defensive players. One of the Steelers’ transactions involved sending wide receiver Dionte Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in return for cornerback Donte Jackson. This creates a void at wide receiver for Pittsburgh. Thus, it appears that the Steelers are keeping an eye on a receiver in free agency but haven’t signed one yet. There are rumours that Pittsburgh and the 49ers may be in trade talks as a result of a tweet that Aiyuk sent this week.
If Pittsburgh were to trade for Brandon Aiyuk it would cost a lot. First just to trade for the niners receiver, they would have to give up top draft capitol. It would most likely be a first-round pick, as that is what the top receiver have been traded for in the past couple seasons. The Steelers would also have to give Aiyuk and new contract.
Implications of the transaction.
As of right now, the Steelers have $15.5 million over the cap. This wouldn’t be sufficient in light of Aiyuk’s enormous contract. To remain under the cap, they might, in fact, reorganise contacts and Aiyuk’s contact. The Steelers’ inexpensive quarterbacks are the primary source of this money. Russ was signed for a million dollars, and Justin Fields is still under rookie contract. It’s highly possible that Pittsburgh will renew their contract for at least one of them after the 2024 season. The Steelers won’t have the money to pay for this because it will cost them a lot.
This is not even including the first round pick it would likely take to acquire Aiyuk. The Steelers still have needs at offensive line and secondary that they will likely look to fill in the first round. With Arthur Smith at OC, Pittsburgh will turn to a run heavy offense that does not require two top receivers. Instead, Pittsburgh should look to sign a cheaper free agent or target someone in the draft with high upside.
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