As we continue to wait for a resolution in the Brandon Aiyuk trade/extension saga, one NFL insider recently revealed that the Pittsburgh Steelers actually pushed the stud wide receiver back to the negotiating table with the San Francisco 49ers.
According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, the Steelers, who had reportedly had a trade in place with the Niners, offered Aiyuk a contract that was south of $28 million per year, which was right around what the Niners were offering him.
As a result, Aiyuk re-entered contract extension talks with San Fran in the hopes of securing a better deal.
"The Brandon Aiyuk situation drags on, and I don’t have a whole lot to add on it," Breer wrote. "The San Francisco 49ers’ star didn’t want to go to New England, which offered him more than $30 million per year in its proposals, or the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers’ price point was less than $28 million, which put Pittsburgh right in the neighborhood the Niners were inhabiting — with Mike Tomlin’s presence there the drawing card.
"That, in turn, pushed Aiyuk back to the table with the Niners."
According to Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Steelers' offer to the Niners for Aiyuk included a second- and third-round draft pick.
"The 49ers, who are in Last Dance mode, want a current player included in any trade," Silver wrote. "The Steelers were unwilling to part with any of the starters (such as receiver George Pickens, tight end Pat Freiermuth or safety Minkah Fitzpatrick) the 49ers craved. Pittsburgh is willing to give up second- and third-round draft picks, however, leading the 49ers to explore a different strategy: Using one of those picks to pry a productive wide receiver from a third team in a separate trade."
It appears there are multiple things helping this situation to drag on. Aiyuk clearly isn't happy with the offers from both the Steelers and 49ers, and making matters worse, San Fran doesn't want to let him go.
We'll continue to wait for someone to blink first.
