Steelers Nearly Made Historic Three-Team Trade

The Pittsburgh Steelers were nearly involved in an even bigger blockbuster trade.

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 TODAY NETWORK

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers were nearly involved in NFL history, being one of three teams who would've made a trade, sending Brandon Aiyuk to Pittsburgh and Denver Broncos wideout Courtland Sutton to San Francisco. Instead, Aiyuk stays with the 49ers, but there was a very close "what if" that would've been rememebered for years to come.

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the 49ers offered the Denver Broncos a third-round pick in exchange for Sutton. If they were to accept, San Francisco would've agreed to a deal with the Steelers, sending Aiyuk to Pittsburgh.

"The 49ers only were willing to trade Brandon Aiyuk if they could get a top-flight WR to replace him. They offered a third-round pick to Denver for Courtland Sutton, and then would’ve dealt Aiyuk to the Steelers, but the Broncos declined the offer," Russini wrote on X.

The 49ers only were willing to trade Brandon Aiyuk if they could get a top-flight WR to replace him. They offered a third-round pick to Denver for Courtland Sutton, and then would’ve dealt Aiyuk to the Steelers, but the Broncos declined the offer.

So, he stays in SF.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) August 29, 2024

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer then clarified that the Steelers would've likely sent a second and third-round pick to the 49ers, where San Francisco would then send that third to Denver. The final trade would've landed Aiyuk in Pittsburgh, a second-round pick and Sutton in San Francisco, and a third-round pick in Denver.

This scenario, as I understand it, would've had the 49ers landing 2nd- and 3rd-round picks from Pittsburgh for Brandon Aiyuk, flipping the 3 to Denver. The Steelers didn't want to part with a player for Aiyuk.

All's well that ends well—Keeping Aiyuk was always SF's preference. https://t.co/LhkauKmUAP

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 30, 2024

Instead, the Steelers keep who they have, and they picks they entered the summer with, and the 49ers ink Aiyuk to a massive, four-year, $120 million deal with $76 million in guaranteed money.

Pittsburgh's search for a wide receiver likely isn't over, and could even include Sutton. After putting all of their eggs in one basket, the Steelers could continue to branch out before the season and try to find an alternative option to Aiyuk. So far, John Metchie of the Houston Texans has emerged, and it's likely they've considered names in free agency as well.

If they do not add anyone, they'll begin the season with George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin and Scotty Miller, and are hoping to get rookie Roman Wilson back from an ankle sprain.

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