Steelers Alarmed About The Cost To Acquire Brandon Aiyuk: 'They’ll Go Something A Little Bit Cheaper'

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been consistently tied to trade rumors involving San Francisco 49ers standout wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Despite these rumors not materializing into a deal, Steelers fans remain fixated on the possibility.

With the departure of talented but troubled wide receiver Diontae Johnson via trade, the Steelers find themselves in need of a replacement. Their intention is clear: they are actively seeking another star wide receiver to complement George Pickens.

Mark Kaboly, a reputable Steelers insider for The Athletic, shared insights during his appearance on the 93.7 The Fan show on Wednesday. During his appearance, he revealed some insight into the Steelers' plans at wide receiver. 

“The key is do you want to be committed to a guy for 23 or 24 million dollars? Do you want to give him three years, 75 million dollars and a year from now, have to pay George Pickens that money.”

Acquiring one of the premier wide receivers in the NFL comes with a hefty price tag. Kaboly provided a rough estimate of the annual expenses involved in bringing in Aiyuk. When combined with the future decision on Pickens and the financial considerations that come with it, the situation becomes even more complicated.

“That contract is much more of a big deal than I think actually acquiring a guy like that… And all of a sudden, you have to understand. They are only paying six million bucks for three quarterbacks right now. That will change if things work out like they want them to this year.”

Kaboly pointed out that the Steelers face a complex contract situation post-season, particularly concerning their quarterbacks. Their recent acquisitions illustrate this challenge: securing Russell Wilson for the veteran minimum and trading for Justin Fields in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick, potentially upgrading to a fourth-rounder based on his playing time in 2024. Those contracts won't be cheap for the Steelers forever. They'll have to make some tough decisions after the season. 

“I think that contract might be the big stickler. I think they’ll go something a little bit cheaper or at least try to. I think they will address it outside of the draft here. Either before the draft, during the draft, or after the draft. It’ll be a receiver because you can’t go into the season with what they have right now.”

The Aiyuk trade speculations began swirling in the wake of the Johnson trade, gaining traction when Aiyuk reached out to Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin on social media. This sparked a frenzy among Steelers fans, who eagerly embraced the possibility of Aiyuk being traded to Pittsburgh. 

Subsequently, leaked text messages hinted at the Steelers' pursuit of Aiyuk, fueling further speculation. However, rumors soon circulated falsely claiming that Aiyuk had requested a trade.

His agent promptly refuted these rumors, putting them to rest. Now, the ball is in the 49ers' court as they aim to retain Aiyuk, albeit contingent on reaching a contract agreement.

Steelers Eyeing Wide Receiver Not Named Brandon Aiyuk

Kaboly's insight suggests that the Steelers might be leaning toward a more cost-effective approach. This doesn't discount their previous interest in Aiyuk, nor does it rule out future pursuits. 

Rather, the focus now shifts towards exploring alternatives within a more budget-friendly spectrum, be it through drafting a rookie from the rich pool of talent available or seeking options akin to Johnson's price range.

Recent discussions have included the possibility of acquiring Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd, with reports indicating that the Steelers extended a contract offer. However, as of now, no concrete developments have emerged from these negotiations. The momentum has stopped on Boyd talks. 

With ongoing contract negotiations and some players opting out of voluntary workouts, there remains speculation about the potential for the Steelers to pursue other wide receiver options beyond Aiyuk. Steelers fans are eagerly anticipating the unveiling of their wide receiver lineup alongside Pickens for the 2024 season.