Brandon Aiyuk has been linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers since early in the offseason. After Omar Khan traded WR Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, the rumors surrounding a potential Steelers trade for a wide receiver skyrocketed.
We thought these rumors would die down following the 2024 NFL Draft. Pittsburgh selected a receiver with their third-round pick and they appeared content to head into Steelers training camp with what they have at the position.
That's when Aiyuk made his way back into the news cycle. The star 49ers receiver recently posted a video to Tiktok. While on a video chat with Washington Commanders' new QB Jayden Daniels, Aiyuk can clearly be heard saying, "They said they don’t want me back… I swear.”
Recently, the 49ers were reported to offer Aiyuk $26 million per season in average annual earnings on a new extension, but the two parties were off on negotiations and no extension has been reached. Now it sounds like one of the league's best receivers could be back on the market if San Francisco is willing to trade him.
Steelers fans continue to gush over Brandon Aiyuk
There's no question that Brandon Aiyuk would give Pittsburgh's new-look offense a boost. While Aiyuk has yet to earn Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors, the former first-round pick has improved each year and is coming off the best season of his NFL career.
In 2023, Aiyuk played in 16 games and recorded 1,342 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns on just 105 targets. This resulted in an eye-popping 12.8 yards per target and 71.4 percent completion when targeted. 49ers quarterbacks also recorded a 124.0 passer rating when targeting Aiyuk last season.
Aiyuk has averaged nearly 1,000 yards per season since entering the league and was the best pass-catcher on a 49ers team loaded with talent last year. This is more than enough reason for Steelers fans to beg the team to pull the trigger on a trade.
Aiyuk's future with the 49ers already appeared to be in question when the team selected WR Ricky Pearsall in the first round and contract extension talks fell through. Now Aiyuk's latest social media post appears to be confirmation that he is on his way out.
The 49ers still own control of Aiyuk's situation for the 2024 season. The talented receiver is set to play on the fifth-year option, and a franchise tag isn't out of the question in 2025. However, San Francisco is in a major financial bind when looking ahead to next offseason, and keeping Aiyuk will be a challenge.
Following Aiyuk's social media post, Daniel Jeremiah mentioned Pittsburgh as an ideal landing spot. He's not alone, as many fans and media members believe this would be a perfect match.
Don't expect a move to happen right away, but it certainly appears that Brandon Aiyuk has had a 'falling out' with his current team and a trade isn't out of the question. You can bet the Steelers rumor mill will be churning vigorously until we know more.