Steelers scared off Brandon Aiyuk with unsatisfying low-ball contract offer

The Brandon Aiyuk trade saga is beyond tiresome at this point. Dating back to early in the offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers were frequently linked as a trade partner with the San Francisco 49ers for the talented wide receiver.

On August 13, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that a trade between the Steelers and 49ers was in place which would have sent Aiyuk to Pittsburgh. The only thing we were waiting for was the final sign-off from the 49ers.

This never happened and Aiyuk remains in San Francisco. The question quickly became: why didn't the 49ers pull the trigger?

While initial reports suggested GM John Lynch and the Niners weren't happy with the offer from Omar Khan and the Steelers, there appears to be more to the story. On August 19, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that Aiyuk brushed off the contract offer the Steelers had on the table if they were able to pull off the trade.

According to Breer, the Steelers were willing to offer Aiyuk 'less than $28 million' per season in new annual earnings on his next contract. This slap in the face pushed Aiyuk back to negotiating with his current team.

Steelers aren't in the clear with Brandon Aiyuk trade yet

While the latest report makes it seem like the Brandon Aiyuk trade drama could be coming to an end soon, we shouldn't assume it's over yet. If this whole situation has taught us something, it's how quickly the tides can change when it comes to trade negotiations.

The fact that the 49ers and Steelers had agreed to terms on a deal shows that San Francisco is willing to wash their hands of the situation with the right compensation. If Aiyuk goes crawling back to his current team but the Niners are unwilling to budge on their contract offer, maybe this trade gets done after all, and Aiyuk would be willing to take a bit under market value for a fresh start.

It's also possible that Khan and the Steelers front office could up their offer. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has been adamant that Pittsburgh does not want to include a player in this deal -- only draft capital. But if they get desperate enough for a number one wide receiver, it's possible they could change their minds.

Until Brandon Aiyuk signs a contract extension with the 49ers or is traded to another team, the Pittsburgh Steelers aren't finished with the trade drama, whether we like it or not.