The Pittsburgh Steelers have been at the center of wide receiver trade rumors for nearly two months. One of the more notable names attached to the Steelers this offseason has been Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers. However, the demand from the 49ers ended up being too steep for any team in the mix for the star receiver.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the 49ers wanted a massive return for Aiyuk.
“Much of the league was keeping a close eye on the 49ers’ handling of the wide receiver position throughout the draft,” Fowler wrote. “Multiple teams told me they had interest in Brandon Aiyuk, but they believed the 49ers wanted a first-round pick for him, with one comparing the situation to that of A.J. Brown, who went from Tennessee to Philadelphia in 2022 in exchange for the 18th pick.”
In hindsight, the Steelers’ draft class has blown so many fans away with how great it looks on paper that many, myself included, would rather not have given up a first and third-round pick in exchange for Aiyuk. That’s not to say that he isn’t a tremendous player, but seeing the haul that the Steelers got with Troy Fautanu falling to them at No. 20, as well as two third-round steals in Roman Wilson and Payton Wilson, they can acquire another receiver who, while they may not be as talented as Aiyuk, they’ll be a fine fit in the offense that didn’t cost them a pick in this year’s draft.
