For what feels like the hundredth time, the rumors about the Steelers trading for Brandon Aiyuk have heated up. Suddenly, reports are that the 49ers are ready to make a deal for him, and Pittsburgh has gone from for sure destination to out of the picture. Fans are equally divided, as some are ready to trade the farm for him while others have no interest in him.
For one final time, I will say this: Aiyuk to the Steelers makes no sense.
Even if news broke an hour from now that he was on his way to Pittsburgh, I will still stand by this. The only way this move makes a lick of sense is if he is acquired for far less than what he is worth and takes a team-friendly extension. I don’t buy either of those happening.
Why the Steelers need to firmly be out
The asking price for Aiyuk has been in a particular range. There were talks of first-round picks plus additional capital initially, but that seems like a stretch. It is questionable if he will even net a first-round pick at all. That said, even if his asking price has fallen to the second round, that is a price too high for the Steelers right now.
The 49ers aren’t in a position to trade him for peanuts either. They can afford him for another season on his tender amount, and they are in a prime spot to make another Super Bowl run. They are rightfully holding out for a good deal, as they don’t need to settle for less right now.
Trading for him is only part of the equation. Aiyuk wants a new deal, and with the receiver market hot right now, he will likely be playing on a deal worth around 30 million dollars a year. Not only do you have to give up valuable resources to acquire him, you have to turn around and pay him team-high money. That isn’t the best way to do business as a franchise.
It isn’t like the Steelers are legitimately competing for a Super Bowl right now either. This is a move that a team in that position can make. Does Aiyuk move the needle some this year? Sure, but at the end of the day adding him doesn’t push Pittsburgh ahead of Buffalo or Kansas City as AFC favorites.
The Steelers receiver room has also been jelling so far in camp. George Pickens looks like his usual dynamic self, Calvin Austin has earned the praise of the coaching staff, and Van Jefferson looks like a legitimate second option for a run-heavy offense. To throw all of that off as well as give up the capital required to do so is a bad move right now.
Unless he is traded for pennies on the dollar or accepts an extremely team-friendly deal post-trade, bringing Aiyuk to the Steelers is nonsensical right now. While I would still list receiver as a need, Aiyuk isn’t the right fit given the cost it would take to acquire him. Frankly, I hope he gets dealt elsewhere and soon, so this speculation can finally calm down.