The Steelers had one of the NFL's worst offenses over the last few seasons, as the team has struggled to replace future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
They are pulling out all the stops during the 2024 offseason to correct that.
Pittsburgh has been far more active than usual during NFL free agency and on the trade market. The Steelers added nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson to serve as their starting quarterback, sent 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett to the Eagles and traded for three-year Bears starter Justin Fields to completely reshape their quarterback room.
The Steelers' receiver room is also under construction. Pittsburgh traded long-time starter Diontae Johnson to the Panthers, creating a need for a dynamic receiving talent across from George Pickens.
Pittsburgh could address that void in a receiver-rich 2024 NFL Draft, but it might also look to the trade market to add a high-end veteran to its roster, like Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk's name has been mentioned in connection with the Steelers and his Tuesday social media shoutout of Mike Tomlin sparked plenty of buzz that Aiyuk could don the Black and Gold in 2024.
NFL POWER RANKINGS: Why the Steelers are on the rise after NFL free agency
Here's what to know about the Aiyuk trade rumors and how he might fit with the Steelers — if traded.
Brandon Aiyuk shouts out 'twin' Mike Tomlin
Aiyuk caused a stir in Pittsburgh when he asked Steelers coach Mike Tomlin a simple question on social media Tuesday.
"They saying we twins," the post read. "What you think?"
Brandon Aiyuk reaches out to Mike Tomlin 👀🤔
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 19, 2024
(via @THE2ERA) pic.twitter.com/NT6rR0sCIo
Fans have pointed out the eerie similarities between Aiyuk and Tomlin before, but it seemed like an odd time for the 49ers receiver to reference the comparison. It came just after reports that the Steelers had "looked into" Aiyuk on the trade market.
Naturally, that led to rampant speculation Aiyuk would be traded to Pittsburgh. That may have led the receiver to delete the post from his social media feed quickly.
Even so, the debate about Aiyuk's post — and his future with the 49ers — lived on.
MORE NFL FREE AGENCY:
Most overpaid | Best bargains | Team grades | Winners & losers
Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors
Trade rumors have swirled around Aiyuk since the 49ers' loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl 58. He was asked whether he would be back with the team in 2024 during San Francisco's locker cleanout day, and he gave a lukewarm answer.
"If that's the right move," he replied.
Since then, Aiyuk has posted cryptic messages to social media and most recently shouted out Tomlin. The latter activity may have been influenced by a report from 93.7 The Fan's Andrew Filliponi, who posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the Steelers were exploring an Aiyuk trade.
Sources: The Steelers have looked into 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk. He’s entering the last year of his contract. Steelers would have to execute a sign and trade. But they’ve shown interest. pic.twitter.com/Ftef5j2Ddr
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) March 19, 2024
The 49ers don't have to trade Aiyuk, so any Steelers interest could be for naught.
But at the very least, Aiyuk seems to be keeping an ear out for any trade rumors involving him.
RELATED: Fields career stats & earnings | Fields trade grades | Steelers QB depth chart
Brandon Aiyuk contract
Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2024. He will make just over $14.1 million while playing on his fifth-year option and will become a free agent following the season.
The 49ers don't have to trade Aiyuk. With him already under contract in 2024, the team still has $13.4 million in cap space for next season, per OverTheCap.com.
That said, San Francisco projects to be $10 million over the cap in 2025, so signing Aiyuk to an extension won't be easy. The team can rework the deals of some of their big-money cap hits — like Trent Williams, Fred Warner and Deebo Samuel — to make room for Aiyuk, but with Brock Purdy due a massive extension as soon as 2025, the 49ers may need to save some space for him.
That makes Aiyuk's future uncertain, along with his seeming willingness to play elsewhere.
NFL DRAFT: Compare latest from Mel Kiper, Daniel Jeremiah, & more experts
Steelers cap space
The Steelers have just under $15.7 million in cap space for the 2024 NFL season. That gives them the necessary resources to acquire Aiyuk in a trade, though they would need to free up some extra space to eventually sign their rookie class.
That's likely why Pittsburgh would want to execute a sign-and-trade with Aiyuk. That could allow them to lower his cap hit in 2024 while locking him in for future seasons.
And the Steelers can easily afford to extend Aiyuk beyond this season. They project to have a whopping $106 million in cap space in 2025, per OverTheCap.com.
That number may change if the team is impressed with either Wilson or Fields and offers one of them an extension. Even if that happens, the team would still have plenty of room for Aiyuk.
NFL DRAFT: Top 125 big board | Mock draft, post-combine edition
Steelers draft picks 2024
The Steelers also have the draft assets needed to acquire Aiyuk. They have seven draft picks overall, but four of them are within the first 100 selections of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Below is a look at Pittsburgh's picks:
| Round | Pick |
| 1 | 20 |
| 2 | 51 |
| 3 | 84 |
| 3 | 98 |
| 4 | 119 |
| 6 | 178 |
| 6 | 195 |
Between the Steelers' cap space, draft capital and Aiyuk's apparent interest in them, it seems Pittsburgh could be a good long-term fit for the wide-out.
Now, NFL fans just need to wait and see if the 49ers trade him or hope they can eventually work something out with the 26-year-old receiver.
