Steelers-49ers blockbuster trade pitch sends disgruntled $120 million All-Pro WR to Pittsburgh

The opportunity will be there for the Pittsburgh Steelers to make another move on the wide receiver trade market if they feel so inclined. 

DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. are a solid tandem, but could Pittsburgh find the motivation to add another talented wideout to the equation to comfort Aaron Rodgers during his final NFL season? CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala thinks so, suggesting that the storied AFC North franchise could be interested in trading for a San Francisco 49ers All-Pro WR who’s in desperate need of a fresh start.

“I don’t think he’ll (Brandon Aiyuk) be available for next to nothing,” Kinkhabwala said during a Wednesday appearance on 93.7 The Fan. “But sure, if he is, why not? I mean, why wouldn’t you?”

There’s no realistic scenario where Aiyuk continues his partnership with the 49ers. The Arizona product’s recent rant aimed at San Francisco further proves that the two sides are better off going their separate ways this summer. 

“They (49ers) mad that they paid me $50 million in eight months and then voided my guarantees for 2027,” Aiyuk said on Instagram Tuesday. “And I'm about to be on a new team in 2027.”

“They mad at themselves for real. They acting like they mad at me, but they stupid (expletive) mad at themselves." 

Aiyuk, who inked a four-year, $120 million extension with the 49ers during the 2024 offseason, suffered an ACL injury less than 10 games into the 2024-25 campaign and hasn’t played since. The 49ers could wind up releasing Aiyuk if they struggle to find a trade partner for him. However, if the Steelers make an acceptable offer to the 49ers, they could acquire him via trade. 

Despite his health struggles and off-the-field antics, Aiyuk has shown he can be a productive 1,000-yard receiver when at his best. The Rocklin, California native recorded 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns during his second-team All-Pro 2023-34 campaign with the 49ers. 

If pursuing Aiyuk makes sense for the Steelers, they could soon place him on their offseason trade radar.

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