Two surprising things happened today. First, the 49ers were unhappy with the Steelers' compensation offers for Brandon Aiyuk, so they decided to reopen contract negotiations. Then another bombshell, if you want to call it that, was that the Patriots cut Ju-Ju Smith Schuster.
Twenty-four hours earlier, it seemed like all the Steelers needed to do was find some compensation the 49ers found acceptable. A day later, all the rumors we had heard about how unhappy the 49ers had been with the Steelers' offers chose to reopen negotiations, with Aiyuk confirming those rumors.
With the news today that the Patriots cut Ju-Ju Smith Schuster, perhaps that gives the Steelers an additional wide receiver option, lessening the need to trade for Brandon Aiyuk. While Smith-Schuster might only solve some of the Steelers wide receiver problems, he could help solve their depth problem at that position.
How bringing back Smith-Schuster could help the Steelers
If the Steelers choose to bring back Smith-Schuster, it wouldn't solve all their problems, but at least the Steelers have a familiarity with Smith-Schuster that they wouldn't with other wide receivers. While Schuster's career might be winding down, given the Patriots cut him, it might make sense to sign him to a one-year deal and give themselves a little extra depth, then in 2025, look at addressing the Wide Reciever position in the draft.
What you need to consider with the Steelers is that they have a decent wide receiver room. They have a stud in George Pickens, Roman Wilson, who will eventually make his mark on the Steelers offense after he returns from his injury, and Calvin Austin, who is always a threat, as he displayed in the first preseason game against Houston.
Adding Smith-Schuster won't necessarily give the Steelers the game-breaker he once was, but he still must be respected by the defense as a threat that allows Pickens, Wilson, or Austin to use their speed and get open.
While the Steelers' decision to turn back to Smith-Schuster instead of trading for Aiyuk might seem like a letdown after the media hype around the trade negotiations, it's important to remember the potential Smith-Schuster brings.
Adding Aiyuk, if it happens, would undoubtedly get an explosiveness the Steelers currently lack. However, adding Smith-Schuster won't necessarily replicate that explosiveness, but it does provide the team with extra depth and the potential for game-changing plays.
The strongest argument for adding Smith-Schuster instead of trading for Aiyuk now is the potential savings in draft capital. This capital could prove crucial in the 2025 season for acquiring a wide receiver or multiple receivers. While it may not be the most exciting solution, it does offer the benefit of preserving valuable draft capital for the future.