I apologize to Pittsburgh Steelers fans, but it seems that Brandon Aiyuk would rather trade for the Washington Commanders.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been heavily linked as one of the best trade suitors for the San Francisco 49ers if Brandon Aiyuk is traded this offseason. The Steelers desperately need receivers this offseason after trading away Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. However, Aiyuk appears to have a clear preference for the Washington Commanders after a report by ESPN’s Ryan Clark became public on Monday.
The Steelers’ troubles at receiver were well-documented during OTAs. George Pickens is the clear No. 1 target. But the battle for the WR2 spot is going on between players that would fetch a WR3 or WR4 spot on many NFL rosters. Aiyuk would immediately elevate an offense desperate to take advantage of having Russell Wilson play on the veteran minimum this season.
The Steelers might not seriously be in play for Aiyuk if he hits the trade market.
As previously discussed on GH, Aiyuk dropped a video on TikTok of him talking to Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels about his situation in San Francisco:
Just recently, Aiyuk posted a video on TikTok about his conversation with Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels and his perception that the 49ers don’t want him back. In an article posted on Bleacher Report, Scott Polacek detailed what San Francisco thought of him and his future with the team.
“It led to speculation he was referring to the 49ers and his ongoing contract discussions, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the team does want him to stay.
The 49ers want Aiyuk to stay for $26 million per year, not $28 million per year.
The conversation on TikTok between Aiyuk and Daniels didn’t mean as much last week as it does this week. Aiuyk and Daniels were teammates at Arizona State, so a conversation between two friends isn’t a huge deal.
The Washington Commanders could be Aiyuk’s preferred trade spot
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Dec 26, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports
But a pattern is emerging.
Aiyuk and Daniels have been spotted together multiple times in recent days. Ryan Clark announced that Aiyuk is meeting with the 49ers on Monday. Aiyuk prefers to stay with the 49ers but is open to a trade. Clark suggested the Commanders could be Aiyuk’s No. 1 target should the 49ers decide to trade him:
“And I will tell you this: when [Aiyuk] sat with us, he did not walk into the room alone,” Clark said on ESPN’s NFL Live. “First, it was Brandon Aiyuk. Second, it was Jayden Daniels. I’m not a tea leaf reader, but the way that that sounds is that Brandon Aiyuk wouldn’t mind playing in Washington.”
The Steelers aren’t the only team that could use help at receiver. The Commanders are rebuilding in general manager Adam Peters’ first season with Washington. Peters was hired away from the 49ers this offseason following his three successful seasons as their assistant general manager. He had been with the 49ers since 2017 when he was hired as their vice president of player personnel.
So there’s another connection for Aiyuk in Washington.
