This Brandon Aiyuk chat is exhausting...

I continue to see chatter that it's not out of the question. Anything is possible, but I just do not see the Steelers giving up the draft capital with the whole plethora of needs they have...

What say you?

 

I can't see them giving up draft capital for him or Tee Higgins, but we never know these days. Pickens is considered the #1 right now by what is on the team, but if the Steelers go get Aiyuk or Higgins, kind shows they don't think Pickens isn't ready, and he likely isn't until he grows up some. On the other hand, I could see them making a trade to give Wilson/Fields the best possible weapons they can buy even though it's not the 'Steelers Way'.

We currently have both of them for a year. They could spend to make it count as best as possible.

 

Aiyuk's agent said he didn't ask for a trade FWIW.

 

He will end up being too expensive. He wants paid and is good enough to get it. I think the cost of getting him will be more than the Steelers can afford in money and draft picks.

He wants a new contract and is in a 14 million 5th year option contract now. You can bet that the 49ers will want some big draft picks to release him and aiyuk will want a new multi year contract that is above 14 million a year. DJ was going to be on the line for 15.8 million and he was traded. Kahn seems to have an eye on the future and money, so I don't see him going for some 3 to 5 year contract that would likely pay north of 15 million a year after he just traded away DJ.

 

If they trade for a receiver, it shows they realize Pickens can't do it by himself. Teams need at least two viable threats on the outside, and right now, they only have one.

 

It's pretty obvious they have backed out of the Free Agency market till after the draft.
Aiyuk would be a really nice addition, but it was always a pipe dream.
I had thought Boyd was a possibility but I'm not so sure now.
It is possible they let him simmer out there as none are meeting the value he thinks he has but I think that's a long shot.
What I think actually happens is they will draw from the draft and probably sign one of the left-over vets like they did last season with Allen Robinson.

 

i say it alive and well. the 9rs GM has been lying - which I told you all last month when he started his lies. (yes, LOOK AT ME!!!)

He may end up here.

Stay tuned.

FYI - we NEED help at WR.

this takes care of THAT and NO NEED to draft a WR

We gave away a #1 for Minkah. I think that can make sense here. Just make sure we know the contract demands for the next 4 years. Move up , trade out of 1 of our #3's - get the C and RT in Rd. 2.

It's not that complicated.

 

everyone lies during FA - well, almost everyone.

Smoke, mirrors, governmental leaders and NFL Free Agency - all the same!

 

I don't think this is a shot at their belief in Pickens, but more of a shot at every other WR on the team. The Steelers still do not believe they have a #2 on the roster yet

 

It is a Poker game.
You can get burnt badly in Free Agency if you are not careful.

In regard to Tyler Boyd who I was a fan of getting, I do have to side with the Steelers in that Tyler was really a #3, he actually slid.
I think there will be someone available in the 2nd round of Free Agency but admit, a #2 is a stretch.
That is, unless someone wants to trade someone - maybe they picked up a pick that is climbing the depth chart.. or something.

 

Definite poker game - I think Khan so far is a good player.

We will know in a couple more years if he is a GREAT one.

 

no WR can do it 'by themselves'. Even AB had some talented WR's around him for Ben's years, to help him.

He will get doubled up the ying yang, even tripled. There is no other real threat on the roster that takes coverage FROM him.

Austin might be able to step up and be this, I am not sure yet.

 

I think you articulated my concern well. I wouldn’t want to give up a lot of draft capital for a “rental” player that will need a big contract the very next year.

I see the Minkah comparisons, but feel that is a little different. If memory serves, we had Minkah for 3 years post-trade (on his rookie deal), so giving up significant draft capital was fine because we had a known commodity for multi-years.

Add in the need for OL and DL, which must be addressed in the draft, leads me to not wanting to give up high picks for a WR.

 

I feel Pickens is likely too raw to be a true #1. He gives me more of a Mike Wallace vibe than AB, at least from what I've seen of him thus far. He's a big play threat, but I'm not sure he'll ever have the polished route running skills to be much more than that. Not trying to knock him, but I think we really need a more well rounded receiver to be our true #1.

 

if we could get Aiyuk it would be great but is price too much how would that affect Pickens mind. He wants to be 1 but you know Aiyuk would be 1 then all the drama would start again. I think I would pass on this and draft someone.

 

There is some truth to the rumor mill that things are a little icy between John Lynch and Brandon Aiyuk.
But I doubt it has reached critical mass yet, Lynch is too good of a GM to allow that. I think each side is just going through the motions.

Brandon had 1,342 receiving yards on 75 catches with seven TDs, and a lot of highlight clips in doing so.

I think the Steelers need to resolve their QB scenario a little more.
Can Wilson find his game again?
And then the Justin Fields thing lays out there in the wings. In my mind, there's little doubt that the Steelers brain trust is thinking fields is the QB of the future.
Aiyuk has a pretty solid QB throwing to him in Brock Purdy and a solid coaching staff that is going to field a good team around him.
Stranger things have happened, but I think SF resolves the issues and keeps Brandon for a few more seasons.

My other thought is, I think Brandon is the splash play guy, the guy we want Pickens to be.
I'm kind of thinking Pittsburgh should find one of those 6'3" guys, to field opposite of Pickens - The way Williams does Brandon.
I think a guy like that can post in the endzone and be a huge target and take pressure off Pickens.
Of course, that's a bit of fantasy football on my part.

 

The years remaining on Fitzpatrick's rookie deal were a big part of that trade. That's why I can't seen the Steelers trading a first-round pick for Aiyuk. I just don't see the trade happening because I don't think the 49ers will get enough in return for it to be worth it to them.

 

Van Jefferson is probably their best option for the No. 2 spot right now. He can be a big-play guy, which might take some pressure off Pickens, but he was slowed by injuries in 2022 and just stunk in 2023.

 

well.....as we often say, we will have to wait and see.

and then we can arm-chair hindsight it thru the year.

I think they are going to make a hard run at him - my opine.

they want to win WHILE where are YOUNG

 

It all boils down to the compensation needed to get him. If its a first rounder like Minkah, its more of a stretch. A second? Might be more plausible in this scenario and less of a "feels bad" situation.

 

Lets give up a 1st and pay him 30 mill

Aiyuk isn't coming here. SF is close to winning it all and letting that kind of production go would be mindless.

They will draft a receiver in the 3rd.

 

correct - and for risk mitigation, it will cost. I guess we will see.....