Steelers Get Latest Offer on Brandon Aiyuk

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have to empty their wallets to land a star wide receiver.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) reacts to his touchdown score during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-3. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) reacts to his touchdown score during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-3. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] / Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Unio / USA
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PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Francisco 49ers have been inseparable this offseason as contract negotiations with 49ers star receiver Brandon Aiyuk stall and the Steelers continue to seek a running mate for George Pickens.

Any trade for Aiyuk would likely mean the Steelers have to extend him beyond the 2024 season and pay a hefty price for his services but the good news is that the 49ers don't seem to be driving up his price tag, according to one report.

"I'm hearing their offer is in the $26 million range," NFL insider Mike Silver said in an appearance on the Papa & Lund podcast on 104.5 KNBR in San Francisco. "It's certainly not Justin Jefferson money - nor should it be - but it's closer to that DeVonta Smith, Amon-Ra St. Brown - that next tier down."

Aiyuk had been previously reported to have asked for $30 million or more in annual value on his next contract, something closer to on-par with the four-year, $140 million deal that Jefferson, the Minnesota Vikings star widely considered to be the best player at his position in all of football. The Steelers have been linked to a trade for Aiyuk multiple times this offseason but nothing has come of the rumors.

Aiyuk hasn't quite produced on the same level as Jefferson but he's still one of the most productive wide receivers you'll find in professional football these days. He's accounted for 153 receptions, 2,357 yards and 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons, the latest of which ended in a second-team All-Pro selection.

The Steelers are staring down the start of training camp with more questions than answers at this point. George Pickens is the obvious No. 1 option but beyond that, the Steelers will lean on a committee of Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, Scottie Miller, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson and their deep collection of tight ends and running backs to keep the passing offense afloat during the 2024 season.

They could make Russell Wilson's life easier by adding a receiver the caliber of Aiyuk for a pivotal season but only if they're willing to pay an expensive price for one of the NFL's best pass-catchers.

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Stephen Thompson

STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper. He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press. During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.