The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly made an effort to trade for Brandon Aiyuk, but the San Francisco 49ers declined, stating they have no intention of parting with him. Aiyuk’s desire to leave San Francisco has fueled ongoing speculation, yet the team has either shown no interest in trading him or has deemed offers insufficient. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Steelers pursued Aiyuk, only to be rebuffed by the 49ers. 
Aiyuk is currently slated to play the 2024 season under his fifth-year option, earning approximately $14 million. However, he has expressed reluctance to do so without a contract extension. Spotrac estimates his desired extension would amount to around $25 million annually over four years, positioning him among the NFL’s top-paid wide receivers. Given the Steelers’ need to bolster their receiving corps and Aiyuk’s potential pairing with George Pickens, Pittsburgh’s interest in acquiring him is unsurprising.
Although the 49ers have informed the Steelers of their disinterest in trading Aiyuk, this stance could evolve in the coming weeks. If negotiations for a contract extension stall further, San Francisco may consider parting with Aiyuk to secure draft picks. Speculation remains rife about a possible Aiyuk trade during the draft, with the Steelers potentially willing to trade picks for an established receiver like Aiyuk, despite the higher cost of retaining him compared to drafting a rookie.
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