A future during which the Steelers make use of George Pickens and Brandon Aiyuk for Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields — after which doubtlessly a near-future inheritor obvious — to focus on stays in play, however as of Saturday morning, it’s not the anticipated situation.
The Steelers stay on standby right here as a fallback choice, in line with ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who notes this example 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 broad receiver. Since a Tuesday report confirmed the groups have commerce parameters in place, this storyline has trended on this course.
Certainly, Fowler provides execs across the league count on this drawn-out course of to conclude with the 49ers extending Aiyuk. For the reason that commerce framework got here out — it’s not identified what the Steelers are ready to commerce — 49ers’ efforts to wrap this extension saga have headlined the newest chapters in an infinite information cycle. Aiyuk has been at 49ers conferences and been seen speaking to teammates at observe throughout his hold-in. John Lynch stated Friday the goal stays for the 49ers to increase the second-team All-Professional.
The 49ers let Aiyuk’s camp speak 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 school QB Jayden Daniels), usually are 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 verify some key packing 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 might be a part of this delay; Aiyuk focused A.J. Brown‘s $84M assure quantity weeks in the past, and the Bears giving D.J. Moore $82.6M in whole ensures offers the Bay Space resident extra ammo right here.
The fifth-year receiver has been related to wanting an AAV within the $30M vary, whereas the 49ers had been tied to a $26M-$27M-per-year supply earlier this summer time. The 49ers have upped their supply, and Fowler does float the $30M quantity — or a determine barely much less — because the seemingly endgame right here. The Steelers had been believed to have provided Aiyuk round $28M per 12 months.
Continued 49ers curiosity in avoiding a commerce places the Steelers in unusual territory. As their Aiyuk commerce effort out of the blue appears shaky, the Steelers might must provide you with a backup plan to enhance Pickens. Because it stands, Van Jefferson — he of 1 400-plus-yard season in 4 tries — is ticketed because the crew’s high in-house WR2 choice, The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo notes (subscription required). It has trended this fashion since Pittsburgh’s offseason program. Third-rounder Roman Wilson looms, however he has missed time throughout camp because of damage.
It will likely be attention-grabbing to see if the Steelers change into related to a different receiver as a security choice — within the now-likelier occasion the 49ers lastly prolong Aiyuk.
