San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk opted for a notable approach to break his posting hiatus on X. Aiyuk tagged Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin in a message on the social media platform amid questions about his long-term future in the Bay Area.
Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh disclosed Tuesday that the Steelers “have looked into” a potential trade for the 26-year-old.”
The general uncertainty stems from the fact that Aiyuk is only under contract with the Niners for one more season.
“Aiyuk’s situation looms the largest over this 49ers offseason, and if they can’t find a way to a contract extension, the talented wideout could theoretically ask to be traded to a team that’s willing and able to pay him,” ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote in February.
Aiyuk has expressed his willingness to remain in San Francisco, with general manager John Lynch expressing a strong desire for him to stay. However, the absence of a long-term agreement suggests that reaching a resolution isn’t straightforward.
Spotrac evaluates the 2020 first-round pick at $24 million annually, a valuation that may not accurately reflect his potential earnings considering recent developments.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport revealed Tuesday that Jerry Jeudy and the Cleveland Browns reached a three-year extension valued at up to $58 million, including $41 million guaranteed.
Even if Aiyuk’s base figure falls slightly below that, wideouts like him with a solid on-field record are likely to reference Jeudy’s contract.
The Steelers could undoubtedly benefit from Aiyuk, especially following the trade of Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. Pairing him with George Pickens could create one of the AFC’s top tandems.
However, the potential cost of acquiring Aiyuk likely increased considering his expected contract demands. This factor might give Steelers general manager Omar Khan additional hesitation in pursuing a deal with San Francisco.
