PITTSBURGH – The hottest rumor about the Pittsburgh Steelers all offseason was their pursuit of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. They reportedly agreed to a deal at the 2024 NFL Draft, but nothing materialized. Months later, the Steelers kept trying. But after months of trying, the pursuit of Aiyuk officially ended when he signed a four-year, $120 million contract to stay with the San Francisco 49ers.
But according to NFL insider Jay Glazer, the Steelers were close to getting the receiver in a trade. Since the 49ers and Aiyuk were stuck in a contract deadlock, the team reportedly decided to trade its star pass catcher to Pittsburgh. In an interview with Fox Sports: NFL, Glazer revealed his inside information.
“The day the contract extension was agreed, the 49ers traded him to the Pittsburgh Steelers,” he said. “And then Brandon Aiyuk suddenly arrived at the facility early that day.”
According to Glazer, Aiyuk came to the team’s facilities to speak with its head coach, Kyle Shanahan. After speaking with him, Shanahan attempted to reach the team’s front office, which was in the process of finalizing a deal that would bring Aiyuk to the Steelers. The 49ers have reportedly put the transfer talks on hold again and given their receiver one final ultimatum.
“Either we release you to Pittsburgh today or you accept the offer that is on the table. It is up to you, but you have until the end of training,” they told Aiyuk.
Ultimately, Aiyuk chose San Francisco and stayed with the 49ers, signing a huge contract and earning an annual salary of $30 million.
Aiyuk has steadily improved since entering the NFL and posted his best statistical season in 2023. He caught 75 passes for an incredible 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, becoming QB Brock Purdy’s favorite target. The year before, he caught 78 passes for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns. In four seasons and 62 games played, he has caught 269 passes for 3,931 yards.
Aiyuk was originally selected 25th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Coming out of Arizona State University, the assessment of him was clear: If you give him the ball, he’ll make a difference. At 26, he’s confirmed the scouting report and established himself as one of the best playmaking receivers in the league.
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