Pittsburgh Steelers fans appear to be all-in on a trade for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. But does the organization agree?
Two respected NFL insiders offered conflicting reports on August 6.
“I don’t expect Pittsburgh to be a landing spot at all,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter told the Pat McAfee Show on August 6. “I think Pittsburgh — like a lot of teams — checked into this. Here’s the price it would take for the 49ers. Here’s the price it would take from Brandon Aiyuk… Inevitably, with most teams, it’s not going to work.”
“A Brandon Aiyuk deal will be very complicated to get done..
If any team is gonna complete a deal they’re gonna have to satisfy the demands of the 49ers and Aiyuk..
It could happen in an hour or it couldn’t happen it all” ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive
Nearly two hours later, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport practically refuted Schefter’s update on Inside Training Camp Live.
“My understanding is there are active trade discussions between the San Francisco 49ers and several teams,” Rapoport began. “My understanding is the Pittsburgh Steelers have had discussions with the 49ers about potentially trading Brandon Aiyuk. They are for sure in it right now.”
He also reminded that the Steelers are one of “several” teams that are involved in trade discussions with San Francisco, confirming the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots as two of the other contenders. The remaining bidders have not been revealed at this time.
However, that — “for sure in it right now” — statement is a clear deviation from Schefter.
NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo sided with his colleague, Rapoport, not long after, informing that “no [team] is out of” the hunt for Aiyuk as of August 6 — including the Steelers.
NFL Insider Adam Schefter Changes Tune on Steelers & Brandon Aiyuk
In a breaking news update at 3:02 p.m. EST on August 6, Schefter adjusted his stance on the Steelers and Aiyuk.
“Steelers and 49ers re-engaged in conversations mid-day today regarding Brandon Aiyuk, per league sources,” he informed. “As of Monday night, the 49ers-Steelers talks stalled. But there have been further conversations today in an ever-fluid situation that still involves other teams as well.”
NFL insider Josina Anderson also added — “I’m told they’re ‘working on it. It’s a lot of back and forth,’” regarding the Steelers and 49ers.
It appears everyone is now in agreement that Pittsburgh has indeed rejoined trade discussions for Aiyuk.
49ers Beat Reporter Initially Said Steelers ‘Effectively No Longer an Option’ for Brandon Aiyuk Trade
The Schefter and Rapoport updates came the day after a breaking news story courtesy of 49ers beat reporter Matt Maiocco and NBC Sports on the evening of August 5.
“The 49ers have negotiated the framework of trades that would send wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to the Cleveland Browns or the New England Patriots, a league source told NBC Sports Bay Area on Monday night,” Maiocco reported. Adding: “Now it’s up to Aiyuk to determine if he will accept the contract terms from either of those franchises, the source said.”
Later in the article, Maiocco mentioned the Steelers. Stating: “The [Washington] Commanders have removed themselves from trade talks for Aiyuk, and the Steelers effectively no longer are an option after they declined to meet the 49ers’ trade demands, the source said.”
He also noted that “the 49ers likely would acquire a veteran wide receiver and a package of draft picks from the Browns or the Patriots.”
Rapoport acknowledged that the Browns and Patriots are “certainly further along” in getting a deal done than the Steelers on August 6.
FanDuel Proposes Steelers Trade for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk
Maiocco listed veteran wide receivers Amari Cooper (Browns) and Kendrick Bourne (Patriots) as the players that would likely be included if Aiyuk was sent to either franchise.
In the Steelers’ case, FanDuel pitched a trade where Calvin Austin III would be the Steelers wide receiver that accompanies a package of draft capital. The daily fantasy sports site included a 2025 second rounder and a 2026 third rounder alongside Austin in order to acquire Aiyuk.
“Who says no in this trade between the 49ers and Pittsburgh?” They asked followers on August 5.
The Steelers have fewer veteran options that they might part with in an Aiyuk trade. Austin is one, with Van Jefferson being the other.
After all, one would assume that George Pickens is considered untouchable. And beyond those three, the Steelers’ remaining wide receivers are either rookies (Roman Wilson) or nowhere near the caliber of Cooper and Bourne (Scotty Miller, Quez Watkins, Dez Fitzpatrick).
Aiyuk has shown interest in joining the Steelers if Pittsburgh and San Fran are able to work out a deal.
