Steelers News: Tyler Matakevich, Brandon Aiyuk, Alex Highsmith, and more

As we gear up for Steelers training camp next week, the news cycle for Pittsburgh is finally showing signs of life. On July 25, ninety players will take the field for the team's first training camp practice and their arrival at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe will offer plenty of interesting player quotes and comments.

Until that time, we are left with what little news trickles in. The latest Steelers news involves the signing of a former draft pick and a hypothetical Brandon Aiyuk trade involving one of Pittsburgh's best players.

Steelers sign LB Tyler Matakevich

Just a week before the start of training camp, the Pittsburgh Steelers have inked a one-year deal to their former seventh-round draft choice, Tyler Matakevich. After playing in Pittsburgh through his rookie contract, Matakevich spent the past four seasons in Buffalo.

Entering his ninth NFL season, the 246th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft has outperformed expectations. Though he rarely sees the field for defense (just 283 snaps in eight seasons) Matakevich is a core special teams player who has logged over 2,500 special teams snaps since entering the league.

For the Steelers, Matakevich will likely compete with Mark Robinson for the final linebacker spot as a core special teams player and backup linebacker. His experience and proficiency in this area could be an asset to the Steelers in 2024.

Brandon Aiyuk trade proposal involving Alex Highsmith

Recently, David Lombardi of The Athletic wrote about possible trade proposals teams could offer for Brandon Aiyuk. Unsurprisingly, the Steelers were one of the teams involved in this hypothetical.

Lombardi believes the Steelers should offer edge rusher Alex Highsmith and offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr., along with a sixth-round pick, to land Aiyuk via trade.

It's hard to say whether or not the 49ers would be on board with such a trade or if the Steelers would be willing to part with one of the best players on their team. Highsmith earned a lucrative four-year, $68 million contract extension during the 2023 offseason, and has been excellent each of the past two seasons.

After Brandon Aiyuk officially requested a trade from the 49ers, a potential deal with the Steelers involving a prominent player from Pittsburgh's roster isn't out of the question. Omar Khan reached out to San Francisco about a possible trade for a wide receiver during the 2024 NFL Draft.

Jason La Canfora teases a Davante Adams trade to the Steelers

NFL reporter Jason La Canfora joined The Jason Smith Show where he talked about the possibility of a Steelers trade for a prolific wide receiver. La Canfora mentioned Brandon Aiyuk by name but also noted that Davante Adams is a player they could pursue.

""The Steelers are going to get another receiver. Whether it’s [Brandon Aiyuk], whether it’s the Davante Adams scenario down the road. Whether it’s something else. I know they’ve budgeted in a way that they feel like they can execute one more big swing there.""

- Jason La Canfora, The Jason Smith Show

Adams, 33, has a base salary of $16.89 million in 2024, and the Steelers have nearly enough cap space to execute a trade for one of the league's most reliable and productive receivers of the past decade. It's unclear if there is interest on the part of General Manager Omar Khan and the organization.