Why the Steelers Probably Won't Trade for Brandon Aiyuk

First, it will take a first-round pick to trade for him, and the Steelers clearly don't want to part with theirs.

Sep 10, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) / Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

If the 49ers trade Brandon Aiyuk this offseason, the Steelers are the odds-on favorite to land him, but they shouldn't be.

You can understand why they are the favorite. They need a wide receiver to replace Diontae Johnson, they reportedly have interest in Aiyuk and he seems to have interest in them too, considering he tweeted at their head coach, Mike Tomlin, a month ago. But I highly doubt the Steelers will end up with Aiyuk, and here's why.

First, it will take a first-round pick to trade for him, and the Steelers clearly don't want to part with theirs. It would be embarrassing for the 49ers to trade him for a second-round pick, so they won't. They don't want that heat. So the Steelers would have to up their offer, which they're unlikely to do because they're not desperate. They don't fire head coaches or general managers. No one's job is on the line. They can afford to be patient and acquire a wide receiver at a reasonable price.

In addition, their quarterbacks are Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Which means they don't have a prolific passing attack. They're built to run the ball, like the 49ers. So they would not come close to taking full advantage of Aiyuk's skill set. So why pay him almost $30 million per season?

If the 49ers trade Aiyuk during the draft, expect them to trade him to a team whose head coach or general manager is under pressure to win next season.