Steelers News: Martavis Bryant's new team, Chase Claypool, Brandon Aiyuk, & more

The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a loss in their preseason opener against the Houston Texans. Week 2 of the preseason is when we can expect to see the most action from their starting unit until the regular season opens on the road against the Falcons.

As Mike Tomlin preps to host the Bills for a joint practice -- and later, their second preseason game -- some former Steelers wide receivers are making news as Brandon Aiyuk continues to be a trending topic.

Martavis Bryant signs with Commanders

After multiple visits with the Washington Commanders over the past few months, Martavis Bryant has signed a contract with Washington, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

Bryant, a 2014 fourth-round pick by the Steelers, played his first four seasons in Pittsburgh and exploded for monstrous performances early in his career. Unfortunately, suspensions for substance abuse derailed his promising career and an indefinite suspension from the NFL forced him to play arena football and with the XFL.

Now, five years later, Bryant will attempt an unlikely NFL comeback. It starts by showing the Commanders he still has enough gas left in the tank to crack the 53-man roster.

Former Steelers WR Chase Claypool lands on IR

The Chase Claypool revenge story isn't going to happen this year. On August 13, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that Claypool had been placed on IR. The former Steelers receiver and 2020 second-round pick was dealing with a toe injury.

Claypool was scheduled to have a reunion in Pittsburgh with the Steelers hosting the Buffalo Bills for a joint practice on August 15 before these two AFC teams faced off for Week 2 of the preseason on Saturday, August 17.

Claypool had an impressive rookie season before things started to go south. Halfway through his third season, the Steelers traded the big wide receiver to the Chicago Bears for a second-round pick. After brief stints with the Bears and Dolphins, Claypool was hoping to revive his career with the Bills, but it won't happen this year.

Steelers' contract offer to Brandon Aiyuk

According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a verbal contract offer to Brandon Aiyuk in the event a trade could be worked out between the Steelers and the 49ers. Breer reported that Pittsburgh's front office offered Aiyuk 'around $28 million per year', similar to that of receivers DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle.

Aiyuk has been clear that Pittsburgh is his preferred destination if the Commanders are not an option. However, the 49ers have been reluctant to execute the trade and feel the Steelers are lowballing them on their offer.

Mike Garafolo said on NFL Insiders that a Steelers-49ers trade for Brandon Aiyuk could be executed in 'a matter of seconds' if San Francisco decides to move on. So far, things are at a stalemate.

Cory Trice Jr. earns first-team reps at Steelers training camp

In news directly related to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cory Trice Jr. has been running with the first-team defense this week in training camp. Trice, a talented cornerback and 2023 seventh-round draft pick out of Purdue, has been lining up opposite Joey Porter Jr. as CB Donte Jackson is sidelined with an undisclosed injury.

Trice is coming off a stand-out performance in his first NFL preseason game against the Texans -- allowing negative two yards in coverage and earning a tackle for a loss, via Pro Football Focus.

Trice missed the entire 2023 preseason during his rookie year due to an ACL tear. Now healthy, the 6'3'' cornerback is out to prove why he should have been drafted much higher. He will have the chance to do so against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night in his second preseason game.