Steelers potential trade for 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk reportedly being held up over high asking price
Part of what makes the NFL so interesting is the business decisions that teams have to weigh in the offseason. The San Francisco 49ers are in the middle of that right now with WR Brandon Aiyuk. And while Pittsburgh isn't out of the running for Aiyuk, a new report shows they will have to pay […]
Part of what makes the NFL so interesting is the business decisions that teams have to weigh in the offseason.
The San Francisco 49ers are in the middle of that right now with WR Brandon Aiyuk.
And while Pittsburgh isn't out of the running for Aiyuk, a new report shows they will have to pay a premium to acquire him:
What's The Holdup?
"They should, though it might cost too much money,” Pittsburgh reporter Gerry Dulac wrote in his weekly chat Steelers chat for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette when asked if the Steelers are interested in Aiyuk.
“Oh there’s a chance," added Dulac when asked if Pittsburgh would make the trade. "But it’s a lot to give up, especially when you have George Pickens.”
These comments come off the heels of a report that another team linked to Brandon Aiyuk via trade, the Jacksonville Jaguars, were asked to pay a steep price:
Per Jacksonville Jaguars reporter Mia O’Brien, the 49ers wanted Jacksonville's first-round pick in this year's draft, (17th overall) and wide receiver Zay Jones in exchange for Aiyuk.
While Pittsburgh doesn't have a WR they would be willing to trade to match that offer, they would likely have to give up their first-round pick in this draft, a day-two pick in the 2025 draft, and pay Aiyuk's 14 million dollar fifth-year option that the 49ers already picked up.
And that's just where it would begin. Pittsburgh would have to start working on a long-term extension for Aiyuk, which would likely exceed $100 million given recent contracts earned by similar WRs like A.J. Brown.
So What Pittsburgh has to ask themselves is the same thing the 49ers have to ask and any other team willing to trade for Aiyuk…
Is he worth that much?
Whoever figures that out first is most likely to have Aiyuk for the long haul.
