The Pittsburgh Steelers should consider upgrading their receiving core this upcoming offseason by adding a veteran receiver who may soon become available.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and Michael Silver, the San Francisco 49ers voided wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s contract guarantees and could be heading for divorce this offseason.
“The 49ers, sources say, responded by voiding the guaranteed money in Aiyuk’s contract for 2026, asserting that the absences amounted to a failure to fulfill his contractual obligations,” Russini and Silver wrote on Friday. “Aiyuk, according to multiple league sources, told NFL Players Association representatives that he did not want to fight the move via an official grievance. That would clear the way for his expected release at season’s end.”
If the 49ers do part ways with Aiyuk, USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz thinks Aiyuk would be a good fit for the Steelers.
“They were at the forefront of trade talks regarding Aiyuk when the receiver and the 49ers appeared to be at an extension impasse in summer 2024, to the point that multiple reports indicated the Steelers had parameters of a trade in place with San Francisco had a contract not been reached,” Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote on Monday.
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“Of course, plenty has changed since then, with the team bringing aboard DK Metcalf and shipping out George Pickens to remake the receiving corps. And, of course, the offense pivoted to Aaron Rodgers, who has suggested this would be his final season but hasn’t made any firm public commitment as of yet.”
Aiyuk hasn’t taken the field this season since suffering a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus in Week 7 of 2024. However, when he’s healthy, he’s a skilled receiver, racking up 4,305 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns over 69 games.
More NFL: DK Metcalf Provides Injury Update After Missing Wednesday’s Practice
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Featured image via Kelley L Cox/USA TODAY Sports