I hate to break it to you but trading for a player in the National Football League is not quite the same as doing it on your PlayStation console while playing the latest version of Madden. Do the people at EA Sports strive to give you the best and most realistic experience possible? Yes they do but unfortunately there’s no reality that exists in which I could trade a few mid-round draft picks to Kansas City for Patrick Mahomes. In the same thought process, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ “potential” trade for the San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk is also not as easy as some make it sound.
First off, if you want to get in on the action of betting on whether this trade or many other things happen then check out betting sites Malaysia for more information. Aiyuk is a terrific player who is scheduled to make $14.1 million this coming season and would very much like to be paid top receiver money and that right there is the beginning of what “has to happen.”
According to several sources with the 49ers, Aiyuk is demanding he be paid as one of the top receivers in the game. OK, so let’s look at that. Tyreek Hill is currently going to cost the Miami Dolphins around $30 million in 2024. Davante Adams and Cooper Kupp are in the $25 million range and Aiyuk’s teammate Deebo Samuel is making around $23 million. Do any of you really believe the Steelers would pay that amount right now to a receiver?
Let’s say that they do. The Steelers are currently in the ballpark of $12 million under the salary cap. Keep in mind they will need to allot money for draft picks and they always like to leave money for free agents early in the season when injuries take a toll. In order to create more cap space, the Steelers will likely re-structure the contracts of T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and perhaps Cam Heyward, among others.
But there’s more to this story. While Center is a huge need for the Steelers with the Draft approaching, there’s no guarantee that they draft one. This means they will need money to sign a free agent or they will need money (likely) to make a trade for one. This is an example that could be true of any position quite honestly. Maybe they don’t get the slot corner they like in the Draft or perhaps it’s a linebacker. There has to be money available for this.
Lastly is the George Pickens effect. He’s entering his third season and if he has another big year he’s going to demand some big money. The Steelers are far more likely to give homegrown players second contracts than they are guys brought in via trade. Factor in too that wide receivers in Pittsburgh seldom get second contracts anyway. Now the Steelers may in fact have already made a decision on Pickens. Maybe they feel he’s incorrigible and won’t be able to behave how they expect him. Therefore they could already be looking down the road. Personally I think it’s too early for that but I’m not as close to it as they are.
All this in mind, I just don’t see the Steelers trading for Aiyuk. They know better than anyone how to draft wide receivers and this class is loaded with good ones. I’ll admit I didn’t see Justin Fields coming to Pittsburgh either and then he came but only when the conditions changed. He was thought to be garnering a first or second round pick at the time but when his price plummeted Omar Khan struck. I don’t see the price for Aiyuk doing that anytime soon if it all.
UPDATE: The 49ers have said this week they would want a first round pick in return for Aiyuk.
