Steelers Back Under the Spotlight as Aiyuk Demands a Trade

And here we go again…

San Francisco 49ers’ star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has formally requested a trade just one week before Training Camp begins. As usual, fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers have perked back up in hopes of acquiring the guy who torched the team in week one of 2023. When the first iteration of this topic started in the Spring, I laid out why I didn’t think it would happen. Today, I still feel that way but… I’m willing to examine the other side.

Why It Could Happen

In his short tenure as General Manager, Omar Khan has already proven that he’s willing and able to make moves that Kevin Colbert likely would not have. The Steelers currently have the cap room to take on Aiyuk’s yearly salary of $14.1 million but they – as every other team knows – would have to sign Aiyuk to an extension. I’ll touch on the specifics of that below.

There is a feeling around this organization right now that although there is some youth on the team, there is a feeling of “win now.” Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt are not getting any younger. Russell Wilson is much closer to the end than the beginning and there’s no telling if he’ll be back next year anyway. If he is, it would cost the Steelers a lot more than what they are currently paying him.

Adding Aiyuk would push that narrative but it would also create massive problems for opposing defenses. With George Pickens on one side and Aiyuk on the other, there’s no way you can double and the combo would likely open up things for Pat Freiermuth and perhaps Roman Wilson. No question that Aiyuk would change things drastically.

Why It Won’t Happen

In a word, “money.” Aiyuk has made no secret about the fact that he wants money in the area of $30 million per season. The Steelers just aren’t going to pay a receiver that kind of money. They shell out money for pass rushers or top five players at their position, not for anything less.

The Steelers have a lot of financial decisions looming. In the immediate future, they have to find common ground with Heyward. That situation seems to be stuck in neutral as the Steelers try to lower his cap hit while paying him a favorable salary without extending him too far into the future. Khan will have to decide about George Pickens who will be entering his final season next year. And there’s also Pat Freiermuth and oh yeah… what is he doing with the quarterback position?

Let’s put it this way; if you pay Brandon Aiyuk $30 million dollars then you sure as hell aren’t paying Pickens. I really believe any acquisition of another receiver will also be a reflection of where they are going with him. There’s no denying the talent but the maturity is another question.

Would I like Brandon Aiyuk? Absolutely. I’ll take any guy who puts up 129 receiving yards and two TDs against us. But let’s not forget this isn’t just about the salary, there’s also the price to acquire him. Are you willing to give up a first rounder? I’m not. But then again, I’m not Omar Khan either and he’s proven he’s willing to do what others are not. So, as I type this on July 17th… Stay tuned.