Steelers' Potential Trade Target Brandon Aiyuk Emphasizes Earning What He Deserves

The Pittsburgh Steelers are still in need of another starting wide receiver to tag alongside George Pickens ahead of the 2024 NFL season. With rumors looming of the Steelers possibly conducting a trade offer for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, those rumors were shut down by 49ers General Manager John Lynch. 

With Aiyuk seemingly unhappy with the 49ers, many were hoping that he would be shopped to teams like the Steelers, who are just a few pieces away offensively from being a legit AFC contender. Aiyuk is coming off of a 2023 season with a career high of over 1,300 receiving yards and being a vital part of a 49ers' offense that reached the Super Bowl. Lynch and Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin had a chance to talk at the Michigan Pro Day last Friday, which led to the confirmation that the Steelers are not going after Aiyuk. Lynch spoke to the media at the Pro Day on the Aiyuk drama.

"I promise you, nothing's going on there. We're actually talking to Brandon to try to figure something out. You know, we have a good history of working with the guys that we want to get something done. So, can we do that? We'll see. There's a number of different directions that we could go. But we appreciate the heck out of Brandon and what he is as a player. We want him to be a part of the Niners, so we're going to work towards making that a reality."

Aiyuk has emphasized all offseason that he wants a contract that he deserves and which that he has earned, after his first four years in the league were nothing short of impressive. Over 260 catches and 27 total touchdowns thus far, Aiyuk earned Second Team All-Pro last season. As a guest on the Nightcap Show, Aiyuk shared his personal thoughts on what he feels he deserves after a promising four years on a rookie contract. 

"I'm trying to get what I deserve. I felt like this season, playing football, I figured out who I was as a person, as a player, what I bring to the table, what I bring to a locker room, what I bring to an organization and just the value I hold when I walk into that building because people are gonna follow me because I've done it the right way since I've been in that building."

It seems that the 49ers and Aiyuk will eventually come to a deal, but there are still reasons to be optimistic for Steelers fans. If San Francisco doesn't give Aiyuk the amount of money he wants, there's still a chance he gets traded. Small rumors have loomed that the Steelers could potentially make a move on Aiyuk on draft night if the star and the 49ers don't come to terms by then. 

Steelers Will Look To Draft Receiver

It's fair to assume that without Aiyuk, Pittsburgh will be looking to take a wideout early on in the 2024 NFL Draft to find that number two guy behind Pickens. The Steelers' top priorities to take care of early in the draft will be at the center, tackle, receiver, and cornerback. The receiving class in the upcoming draft is loaded with a ton of talent, and drafting receivers well has always been the Steelers' way. 

The Steelers are encouraged by the receiver class, and they will have many options to choose from that can fit into the young and improving offense. The Steelers will look to be a run-heavy team in 2024 with new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith anyway, so Pickens and a good draft pick up should be a fine one-two receiving duo.