Although it takes two to tango, the Pittsburgh Steelers are willing dance partners if the San Francisco 49ers decide to trade Brandon Aiyuk. The Steelers pursued the acquisition of Aiyuk from the 49ers, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, as Pittsburgh is determined to pair George Pickens with a talented veteran.
The big question is whether or not the 49ers are open to trading Aiyuk, who has apparently tired of his current contractual situation. Niners general manager John Lynch recently said the team was “actively talking” with Aiyuk about a contract extension, but it doesn’t appear much progress has been made with the start of the NFL Draft in a little over a week.
This lack of progress could lead to the 49ers ultimately deciding to trade Aiyuk, and if they do, there’s a good chance the Steelers will be the team he’s dealt to. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has had a good relationship with Lynch since their years together in Tampa Bay. Pittsburgh also has the cap space and capital to make a deal.
I recently prospected a possible business scenario between the two teams that would send Aiyuk to Pittsburgh in addition to the 49ers’ first two draft picks. In return, the 49ers would receive the Steelers’ first three picks in the draft. It would be a victory for both sides. The Steelers would get Aiyuk and still have a pick in each of the first three rounds. The 49ers would advance through the first two rounds and also get an additional pick in the third round.
Acquiring Aiyuk would help the Steelers round out a receiving corps that will likely also include a receiver Pittsburgh acquires in the draft. The unit is currently led by Pickens, who led the NFL last season with an average of 18.1 yards per catch.
Aiyuk appears to be Pittsburgh’s target, but there are other options, including two of Russell Wilson’s former teammates, Seattle’s Tyler Lockett and Denver’s Courtland Sutton. Both players are savvy players who could be acquired for less than what the Steelers would have to give up to acquire Aiyuk. But like the 49ers and Aiyuk, the Seahawks and Broncos would have to be willing to part with these players for a deal to get done.
Although the player is still unknown, it has become clear that the Steelers will soon acquire a veteran. It will be interesting to see how things unfold over the next week.
