‘We’re Past That’: John Lynch Shoots Down Trade Rumors Once and For All

The Pittsburgh Steelers have kicked the tires on San Francisco 49ers wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel before. In fact, they reportedly got close to landing Samuel, but they couldn’t meet in the middle with San Fran on a trade.

“For what it’s worth, I’m told the Steelers had interest in trading for Deebo Samuel but were unwilling to meet the 49ers’ price…,” Micheal Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote on X.

For what it's worth, I'm told the Steelers had interest in trading for Deebo Samuel but were unwilling to meet the 49ers' price…

— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) April 27, 2024

Silver added in another post that a Samuel trade to any team is still possible, but not likely to happen tonight or tomorrow. It is not clear what kind of a trade package the 49ers were looking for. However, Dan Orlovksy believes that the Steelers should really acquire Samuel despite the reported high cost.

The @steelers should try and trade for Deebo

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) April 29, 2024

Dianna Russini of The Athletic said she spoke to Samuel on the phone and asked his reaction to the 49ers’ drafting of his potential replacement, and to the reports that they explored trading him. “I know what’s going on,” he said, “but it is what it is. I’m good staying with them. I’m chilling.”

The 49ers selected Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall at 31st overall.

Russini reported on Thursday that the 49ers were having discussions with teams to trade Brandon Aiyuk or Samuel to move up in the 2024 NFL Draft. That is the first known time that the 49ers were shopping both players. Aiyuk has been linked to the Steelers since March, however. And John Lynch, joining the Pat McAfee Show, shut down the trade rumors once and for all.

“I’m doing everything in my power to keep our roster together,” Lynch said. “That’s my goal, and I don’t question that. When you talk about guys like Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo, those are guys that we drafted, and we take a lot of pride in what they’ve become and who they’ve become. We couldn’t be more proud of those guys. And so, during the course of drafts and offseasons, do conversations happen? Absolutely, they do. We’re past that now. We’re thrilled to add to that group.”

The 49ers have been asking for a first round pick in exchange for Aiyuk, who wants a new contract in the range of $25 million per year. General manager John Lynch has been steadfast in saying that he does not want to trade the star receiver.

The Steelers have expressed interest in trading for Aiyuk, Steelers Now has confirmed, but their initial efforts were rebuffed, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

“My understanding is that the Steelers placed a phone call a few weeks ago. And were told by the 49ers we’re not trading the guy,” Florio said in an appearance on 93.7 the Fan on Wednesday.

According to offshore sportsbook SportsBetting.ag, the Steelers are the favorites to land Aiyuk should he leave San Francisco. Aiyuk is heading into the last year of his rookie contract, and will play on the fifth-year option. But the 49ers have a cap crunch, and with Aiyuk needing an extension, that could be significant.