The Brandon Aiyuk trade saga continued on Tuesday, with the Pittsburgh Steelers still having trade discussions with the San Francisco 49ers for their star wide receiver, despite the fact that San Francisco seems to prefer other offers. Sources close to the negotiations have confirmed to Steelers Now that starting right guard James Daniels, who is entering the final year of his three-year contract with the club, has been discussed as return compensation in a trade.
The 49ers prefer offers from the Cleveland Brows and New England Patriots, which include starting wide receivers heading back to San Francisco in the exchange. Amari Cooper would be part of the Cleveland package and Kendrick Bourne would go back to San Francisco from New England. The Steelers do not have a similar wide receiver that they could include in the trade, but they may have a surplus along the offensive line.
The 49ers re-signed veteran offensive guard Jon Feliciano to start at right guard earlier this offseason, and also used a third-round pick on Dominick Puni out of Kansas, but Daniels would represent an upgrade for the San Francisco offensive line.
Earlier this offseason, Daniels was informed by the Steelers brass that they would not be discussing a potential contract extension with him prior to the season. Of course, Pittsburgh selected multiple offensive lineman during the 2024 NFL Draft, which kickstarted speculation that rookie guard Mason McCormick could be seen as a long-term replacement option.
RELATED: Insider Gives James Daniels 1 Percent Chance of Returning in 2025
It should also be noted that Nate Herbig, the Steelers starting center at this juncture, has had a very solid training camp at the pivot after playing the majority of his professional snaps at guard in the past. The Steelers could slide Herbig back to guard and play rookie second-round pick Zach Frazier at center.
It’s been clear for a while that Pittsburgh is one of Aiyuk’s preferred destinations, but now we await to the final details of what the Steelers will have to give up in return, and if Omar Khan and company are willing to see San Francisco’s asking price.
RELATED: Aiyuk Trade Rumors, Tackle Battle Update | Steelers Afternoon Drive
Alan Saunders contributed reporting to this article.