Reporter gives a deadline on when a Steelers trade for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk could happen
The San Francisco 49ers have a problem on their hands. Their star WR, and one of the best talents in the league is still seeking a new contract, and the two sides met recently to discuss the impasse. Aiyuk was forthright about playing for another team, and the Pittsburgh Steelers could be one of them, […]
The San Francisco 49ers have a problem on their hands.
Their star WR, and one of the best talents in the league is still seeking a new contract, and the two sides met recently to discuss the impasse.
Aiyuk was forthright about playing for another team, and the Pittsburgh Steelers could be one of them, with Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette naming a deadline on when a deal may happen:
Aiyuk open to new grass
"I think for the Steelers, I think they're interested, but I think they're interested at their price and I think what Omar Khan is gonna do is he's gonna wait until it gets really uncomfortable for John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan," Fittipaldo told 93.7 The Fan when asked about Aiyuk and Pittsburgh. "And if you've noticed, Aiyuk is kind of starting to make it uncomfortable for the 49ers. So, I think…deadlines always spur these deals, right? As the season gets closer, I think the 49ers might have a little bit more urgency in moving him…
"…But yeah, listen guys: it's been out there since March. We've known this has been a thing since March, and I think if it's gonna happen, probably not gonna happen in June. I think it'll happen probably closer to training camp or the start of the season."
From an organizational standpoint, this is simply par for the course for San Francisco. Their other star WR, Deebo Samuel, had a very similar standoff with the front office, even requesting a trade before coming to terms with the 49ers.
And while Aiyuk could very well follow in those footsteps, he currently feels disrespected by the 49ers' offers, which are reportedly in the $26m range.
When talking to league sources, the common thought is that Aiyuk wants to come close to, if not surpass the APY that Philadelphia Eagles WR A.J. Brown just signed which averages out at $32m per year.
That's quite the gap to mend, and while the 49ers may not be willing to pay it, there are more than a few others who are. Is Pittsburgh part of that selection? That's what is to be determined.
But the closer we get to training camp without an extension for Aiyuk, the more the fodder will grow for not only the Steelers but any team that needs a WR.
Steelers’ former Pro Bowler gives concerning take on how his body feels heading into training camp
He better have a busy vacation.
