NFL Insider Doubts Steelers Would Trade for Brandon Aiyuk: ‘They Draft and Develop’

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors have intensified over the last week as Aiyuk has caused a storm on social media. But that does not mean a trade is imminent or the 49ers even plan to trade Aiyuk. It probably has to get much uglier for the 49ers to make that move. NFL insider Albert Breer believes that the 49ers will get Aiyuk back, but more than that, he does not see the Steelers as the team to make the move if they try to trade Aiyuk.

“I think they will get Aiyuk there over the next couple of months. Even if things seem bleak now… We’ve been through this. The Pittsburgh Steelers really don’t go outside the organization to fill that position. Don Looney was the last player to be Pittsburgh’s leading receiver in any single season who wasn’t homegrown, and that was during World War II. They draft and develop, sometimes to a fault, at that spot,” Breer said.

49ers wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel celebrate after a touchdown, Sept. 11, 2023 – Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

The first part of that is sourced, which Breer believes will happen with Brandon Aiyuk in San Francisco. He points out how they went through this already with Deebo Samuel, which worked out fine. Now, they will have to thread the needle again. But his comments on the Steelers raise a solid point, but one that might not hold as much staying power anymore.

General manager Omar Khan has taken a new approach and is unafraid to turn over new stones and break the franchise tradition. The days of the Steelers standing pat on their hands appear to be over. So, even though the team drafts wide receivers historically well, they still have a clear void there, even if Roman Wilson steps up and plays well throughout the season. Aiyuk seems to be trending towards staying in San Francisco, though. So, that means what Breer is saying likely will come true.