A future during which the Steelers make use of George Pickens and Brandon Aiyuk for Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields — after which probably a near-future inheritor obvious — to focus on stays in play, however as of Saturday morning, it isn’t the anticipated situation.
The Steelers stay on standby right here as a fallback choice, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who notes this case has shifted from being a “coin-flip” between Pittsburgh and San Francisco again to a spot during which the 49ers have a “slight edge” to finish up extending the vast receiver. Since a Tuesday report confirmed the teams have trade parameters in place, this storyline has trended on this path.
Certainly, Fowler provides execs across the league anticipate this drawn-out course of to conclude with the 49ers extending Aiyuk. Because the commerce framework got here out — it isn’t recognized what the Steelers are ready to commerce — 49ers’ efforts to wrap this extension saga have headlined the most recent chapters in an limitless information cycle. Aiyuk has been at 49ers meetings and been seen speaking to teammates at apply throughout his hold-in. John Lynch stated Friday the aim remains for the 49ers to extend the second-team All-Professional.
The 49ers let Aiyuk’s camp discuss phrases with different groups, which led to Patriots and Browns proposals. Each AFC groups and the Commanders, who had been additionally at one level (as they now roster former Aiyuk faculty QB Jayden Daniels), are usually not believed to be within the image any longer. A 49ers-or-Steelers choice has loomed relating to Aiyuk’s long-term future for a bit now, however San Francisco nonetheless must test some key containers to finalize a long-sought-after deal.
Aiyuk has not but been compelled to signal, as Fowler factors out sure contractual calls for stay unfulfilled. Ensures and/or when these ensures vest could be a part of this delay; Aiyuk focused A.J. Brown‘s $84M guarantee number weeks ago, and the Bears giving D.J. Moore $82.6M in complete ensures provides the Bay Space resident extra ammo right here.
The fifth-year receiver has been linked to wanting an AAV within the $30M vary, whereas the 49ers had been tied to a $26M-$27M-per-year offer earlier this summer. The 49ers have upped their provide, and Fowler does float the $30M quantity — or a determine barely much less — because the possible endgame right here. The Steelers had been believed to have provided Aiyuk around $28M per year.
Continued 49ers curiosity in avoiding a commerce places the Steelers in unusual territory. As their Aiyuk commerce effort abruptly appears shaky, the Steelers might have to give you a backup plan to enrich Pickens. Because it stands, Van Jefferson — he of 1 400-plus-yard season in 4 tries — is ticketed because the workforce’s high in-house WR2 choice, The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo notes (subscription required). It has trended this manner since Pittsburgh’s offseason program. Third-rounder Roman Wilson looms, however he has missed time throughout camp on account of damage.
It will likely be fascinating to see if the Steelers grow to be linked to a different receiver as a security choice — within the now-likelier occasion the 49ers lastly prolong Aiyuk.
