Steelers Should Feel Confident In QBs After Brandon Aiyuk Report

The Pittsburgh Steelers remain the favorites to obtain Brandon Aiyuk’s services, as the 26-year-old continues to hold the San Francisco 49ers’ feet to the fire regarding a potential trade.

The Patriots and Commanders have both pulled out of the race, leaving the Steelers — his preferred destination all along — as the likely landing spot. New England clearly wanted to make a move, but after it became clear Aiyuk wasn’t going to sign the big-money extension it offered, the choice was made to move on.

Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel discussed the whole ordeal on The Athletic’s “Scoop City” podcast Friday, and the reason for Aiyuk’s reluctance to join the Patriots should have folks with the Steelers feeling excited.

“This is the third receiver, for New England, that they’ve missed out on in the past two years,” Daniel said. “Why don’t guys want to go to New England? Was it the (Bill) Belichick thing? Was it the media portrayal? I don’t get it. They can’t get a star receiver there, and they need help desperately.”

Aiyuk’s choice came down the QB, according to Russini.

“I do believe that all the situations are different,” Russini said. “I can speak to the Aiyuk situation, and that was just the lack of confidence at quarterback. He didn’t believe they’re set up for success right now.

If Aiyuk isn’t confident in Drake Maye, who will take over for Jacoby Brissett in the not-so-distant future, then what makes him so confident in the Justin Fields/Russell Wilson duo? He must know something the rest of us don’t. Wilson was said to be the starter, but after just a couple weeks it seems as though the door is wide open for Fields.

Pittsburgh is still figuring things out, at least New England has a plan. Aiyuk’s the only one who can make sense of his decision, but at the end of the day, the Steelers likely will be happy with it.

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