PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to add a veteran wide receiver via trade before the 2024 season. Their sights appear set on San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk, which has fans wondering – what would a deal cost?
Not as much as many would think.
According to a team source, the Steelers and 49ers trade talks are real. While nothing is imminent, they “would be surprised if it didn’t happen.” But it all comes down to compensation, and Pittsburgh isn’t willing to budge much on price.
With Aiyuk making it publicly known on social media that negotiations aren’t going well with he and the 49ers, it appears any team – like the Steelers – have some advantage in these trade talks. Pittsburgh isn’t willing to overpay for a player who isn’t going to be around long-term with their current team.
What should the expectation be? Just guessing, it feels like a second-round pick and maybe a late-round pick could get the deal done.
Then, there’s the matter of his contract. While the Steelers don’t need to extend him this offseason – or ever – they probably will. He’s looking at roughly $30 million per season after 2024.
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That’ll be handled by the Steelers’ front office. What they’re worried about when it comes to a trade is the 49ers taking on some of Aiyuk’s $14 million contract this season. A negotiation that will likely end with Pittsburgh paying less for the star wideout than his salary is worth for his first season with the team.
No one knows when a deal will get done, but the two sides are in contact. It could come down to the wire in the NFL Draft, or it can go afterward. But until Aiyuk signs his name on a new deal in San Francisco, the possibility that he ends up with the Steelers is very real.
