Rumors are out there that show the interest of the Steelers in various wide receiver markets this offseason. They have remained aggressive in a manner that we have not seen from this team throughout their history. Pittsburgh is trying to get their team back to winning ways on the fly. That quick turnaround will either work out beautifully or crash and burn.
We know that the Steelers have expressed interest in Mike Williams and Tyler Boyd in free agency. Williams just signed with the Jets and Boyd is still available. Don't write off the idea that Omar Khan might dip his toes back into the trade pool again. Reports are stating that Pittsburgh has looked into trading for Brandon Aiyuk from the San Francisco 49ers.
It's hard to know what to make of this exactly. However, if they are serious about pulling the trigger and acquiring one of the best wide receivers in the game, one of these three trade packages could get the job done.
A possible trade by the Steelers for Brandon Aiyuk might've been leaked
We don't fully know what the asking price for Aiyuk might be. He is a star receiver, so one would have to imagine that it is pretty high. Some have conjectured that a package of a first-round pick in the upcoming draft is almost a given. An interesting wrinkle into a potential trade package has been including Calvin Austin III going the other way.
It would be interesting if the Steelers did include Austin. He hasn't proven much in the NFL, but they need bodies at the position. Aiyuk would certainly be an upgrade over Austin, but they need to remain focused on filling out that position.
This is certainly a high asking price, and top this off with the contract extension that will break the bank for Aiyuk going forward.
If the asking price falls, then the 49ers might accept a pick swap in a deal
Trade markets rise and fall similar to the stock market. Every day could change things from a buyers' market to one that favors those selling assets. Things change fast in the NFL, and the beauty of a trade offer is in the eye of the beholder.
Look at how little Diontae Johnson was traded away for. He was moved for a cornerback coming off some average seasons and a pick swap.
If Aiyuk's trade market is smaller than we expect, then his trade value might decrease. Don't expect the Steelers to get him for next to nothing as the 49ers won't just dump their star receiver. In this scenario, Pittsburgh gets an extra fourth-round pick that San Francisco has this year, and they give up both of their original day-two picks.
The Steelers could offer the 49ers an A.J. Brown-type of trade package
We round out the conjecture of potential trade offers here with another thought being thrown around. Perhaps the 49ers should be asking for what the Eagles gave up to trade for A.J. Brown a couple of years ago. He was a star player when he got traded from the Titans, but he was more of a key cog for their offense than Aiyuk currently is.
Back in the Brown trade, Philadelphia sent their first-round pick and a late third-round selection. We know that Khan wants to try and hold as many picks as possible in this draft. The Steelers still have plenty of holes to fill.
In this scenario, they send their first-rounder this year and include their third-round selection in 2025. It spreads out the draft capital spent on Aiyuk to make this deal more manageable for Pittsburgh.