Brandon Aiyuk re-signing with 49ers: Why Steelers may be higher off with out 49ers receiver in the long term

And similar to that, the Steelers‘ months-long quest to acquire Brandon Aiyuk has come to an unsatisfying conclusion for the black and gold. Aiyuk is staying in San Francisco after he reportedly agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension, thus ending the most important storyline of the 2024 NFL offseason. 

Pittsburgh followers are absolutely upset with Thursday night time’s information, and it is simple to see why. The Steelers may have acquired a 1,300-yard receiver who’s smack dab in the course of his prime. Aiyuk would have doubtless made the Steelers a reputable contender to return out of the AFC. At a minimal, his presence would have elevated Pittsburgh’s odds at getting its first playoff win in eight years. 

The knee-jerk response is that Aiyuk staying in San Francisco is nothing in need of a disaster for Pittsburgh. But there are a number of explanation why this can be higher for the Steelers in the long term. 

For starters, the Steelers have already got a bona fide No. 1 receiver in George Pickens, who, primarily based on his exploits throughout the first two weeks of coaching camp, seems primed to have his finest season but. The third-year wideout has extraordinarily lofty objectives for himself. 

“I am simply attempting to be the best,” Pickens told CBS Sports activities following Pittsburgh’s second coaching camp follow. 

In the identical interview, Pickens gave a transparent reply when requested if the Steelers want to herald reinforcements at receiver (i.e. Aiyuk). 

“Nah, I believe we’re ok,” Pickens stated. 

It is early, however it seems Pickens could also be proper in his evaluation. Veteran Van Jefferson has impressed mainly everybody with the work he is completed in camp. Rookie Roman Wilson was additionally displaying his potential earlier than being briefly sidelined with an harm. Fellow wideout Calvin Austin III has additionally loved a strong summer time.

The Steelers additionally produce other move catchers at different positions. Working again Jaylen Warren completed second on the crew final season with 61 receptions. Pat Freiermuth caught seven landing passes as a rookie in 2021 and is anticipated to once more be a spotlight within the pink zone in 2024. Fellow tight ends Connor Heyward and Darnell Washington will even doubtless see elevated roles in Arthur Smith’s offense. 

Again to Pickens for a second. Whereas the Steelers misplaced a strong wideout once they traded Diontae Johnson to the Panthers, it appears that evidently his departure has given Pickens the chance to develop as a frontrunner amongst Pittsburgh’s receiving corps. Pickens seems to have taken benefit of that chance, however that concord may have been compromised with Aiyuk’s arrival. 

In some methods, the Steelers’ pursuit of Aiyuk was just like a gambler chasing their bets. Pittsburgh gambled by buying and selling Johnson, and paid for it by not changing him with one other confirmed veteran wideout. However was promoting the farm to get Aiyuk (which the Steelers would have needed to do to accumulate him) one of the simplest ways to rectify the state of affairs?

As already famous, the Steelers have already got a No. 1 wideout in Pickens. What Pittsburgh wants is a strong No. 2 choice that can give Pickens extra room to function. There doesn’t look like any exterior choices concerning a participant like that at present, however who’s to say {that a} comparatively inexpensive, strong No. 2 wideout will not be accessible another time between now and Nov. 5, the league’s commerce deadline? 

As is the case yearly round that point, good gamers shall be accessible through commerce from groups that need to be sellers. Pittsburgh may find yourself getting wideout at worth with half a season left to play. By then, the Steelers will know whether or not or not exterior receiver assist is required. 

Pittsburgh is hoping that it will not come all the way down to that, that its receiving corps — as at present constructed — is nice sufficient. Pickens himself stated he and his teammates did not want exterior assist. He’ll get an opportunity to show it now.