Monday morning started what would wind up being a wild beginning to the week for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rumors started flying of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk being traded from the San Francisco 49ers to the Steel City, and throughout the day those rumors and reports started to conflict one another.
At one point, it appeared as though the Steelers were the only team left in discussions for an Aiyuk trade. However, there was yet another report stating the talks were down between the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots.
But then, things changed once more. To no one's surprise, later on Monday, Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz took to social media and emphatically stated that there was no deal done between the Steelers and 49ers. What on earth is happening with Aiyuk? Is he going to be traded?
As of late Monday night, it seemed like he was destined for New England or Cleveland.
And here we are, on Tuesday afternoon, with yet an additional update. This time, it's from one of the most credible sources in the business: ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Steelers are back in the Brandon Aiyuk trade sweepstakes, according to Adam Schefter
Steelers and 49ers re-engaged in conversations mid-day today regarding Brandon Aiyuk, per league sources. As of Monday night, the 49ers-Steelers talks stalled. But there have been further conversations today in an ever-fluid situation that still involves other teams as well.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 6, 2024
Well, well, well ... Steelers fans have hope yet again. An Aiyuk trade might, in fact, be in the near future. But, it should also be noted that Schefter's report says there are other teams involved, still.
Are those other teams the Browns and Patriots? Are there more than three teams involved? On Monday night, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo were live on the air and stated that there was nothing done yet, and there were several teams that had reached out about Aiyuk.
So, what we do know at the moment is that the Steelers are actively pursuing an Aiyuk trade, but they are one of multiple teams involved.
If the Steelers were to get a trade done for Aiyuk, it would very likely include a first-round pick in 2025, as that's been the going rate for younger, ascending receivers such as Aiyuk. Take a look at previous trades done such as the A.J. Brown deal in Philadelphia.
The Steelers don't have any legitimate options at wide receiver they'd be willing to include in a deal for Aiyuk, which might be a reason they aren't the winner of the bidding war in the end. However, San Francsico does still have Deebo Samuel and drafted rookie Ricky Pearsall in the first round, this year.
And, let's be honest. Kyle Shanahan will make use of anybody on that offense. An Aiyuk trade would be more of a vote of confidence in Shanahan than it would be the Niners saying they didn't need Aiyuk.
Will the Steelers get a deal done? Stay tuned.