San Francisco 49ers superstar wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is involved in a contract-related standoff. Aiyuk is currently scheduled to enter the final campaign of his rookie contract via the fifth-year player option, which is slated to pay him $14.1 million in 2024. The longer San Francisco goes without signing Aiyuk to a long-term extension, the more his name will continue floating around potential trade rumor discussions. The Pittsburgh Steelers have been loosely connected to acquiring Aiyuk through trade.
The Steelers should do whatever it takes within reason to acquire Aiyuk, even if it means parting with the No. 20 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Steelers currently have one of the biggest needs at receiver of any offense in the league.
De-facto No. 1 receiver Diontae Johnson was traded to the Carolina Panthers earlier this offseason. Johnson's departure left George Pickens as the go-to receiver in Pittsburgh. Underperforming veteran Allen Robinson II was also released from his contract. That leaves Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III as the supporting receivers.
The Steelers acquired both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at quarterback this summer. The goal should now be to support this new direction by ensuring Wilson is surrounded by an impressive cast of pass-catchers. Acquiring Aiyuk would signal their aggressive intention.
Aiyuk is coming off a career-high season, totaling 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. He's well-positioned to sign a lucrative extension worth more than $25 million annually. If it doesn't arrive in San Francisco, Steelers general manager Omar Khan should pounce.
There have been a few recent developments at receiver that have altered Aiyuk's potential compensation, both from a trade and money value perspective. Firstly, Stefon Diggs was traded from the Buffalo Bills to the Houston Texans in exchange for a second-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. This could give Pittsburgh some wiggle room to argue that Aiyuk is not worth the 20th overall pick in this year's draft but is rather worth a future second. The problem with that potential negotiating tactic? Diggs is a soon-to-be-31-year-old receiver coming off a down campaign by his standards. Aiyuk is 26 and entering the prime of his career after achieving personal-best numbers in 2023.
Secondly, the Philadelphia Eagles signed wide receiver DeVonta Smith to a three-year extension worth $75 million on Monday. The extension arrived on top of Smith's fifth-year option being exercised, meaning he's under contract through 2028. The extension portion of Smith's contract clocks in at $25 million annually. Aiyuk should look to match, or surpass, that figure.
These developments add a sense of urgency to negotiations between 49ers general manager John Lynch and Aiyuk. The Diggs trade may muddy the compensation waters for potential suitors like Pittsburgh, but the Smith extension reinforces a clear message. The going rate for a receiver of Aiyuk's caliber begins at $25 million annually.
The Steelers made a clear effort to upgrade at quarterback this offseason. It may be for naught unless the depth chart is significantly upgraded at receiver. The Steelers should put forth a worthwhile effort to acquire Aiyuk via trade.
