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The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason has been relatively successful this year.
In addition to bringing former Indianapolis Colts standout WR Michael Pittman on board, the franchise retained future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers to help them maximize their win-now window.
With Week 1 of the 2026-27 season still being a little over two months away, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox likes the idea of the franchise spicing things up by swapping their 28-year-old star for the San Francisco 49ers’ 6-foot All-Pro wide receiver, who no longer expresses a strong desire to compete with the NFC West organization.
“In this hypothetical trade (Mac Jones to the New York Jets, DK Metcalf to the 49ers, and a Jets’ 2027 third-round pick and Brandon Aiyuk to the Steelers), the Jets enlist the Pittsburgh Steelers' help to acquire Jones,” Knox wrote last Wednesday.
“Pittsburgh sends wide receiver DK Metcalf to San Francisco while receiving draft compensation from New York and allowing the 49ers to offload Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers have been practically begging teams to take Aiyuk off their hands.”
“While there hasn't been any real trade chatter involving Metcalf, he's been the subject of speculation ever since the Steelers acquired Michael Pittman Jr. and drafted Germie Bernard. Bleacher Report's Moe Moton, for example, named Metcalf on his list of cut and trade candidates shortly before April's draft began.”
It would be in Aiyuk and the 49ers’ best interest to part ways this summer. The partnership between the two started positively, as Aiyuk’s tremendous start-and-stop ability, combined with his knack for missing defenders in the open field, helped him earn a second-team All-Pro nod in 2023 and help San Francisco enjoy consistent playoff success.
However, a devastating ACL injury and contract dispute have since caused Aiyuk’s stint with the 49ers to go downhill. The Arizona product’s preferred destination is the Washington Commanders, as such a move would allow him to reunite with his former college teammate Jayden Daniels.
However, the Steelers wouldn't be a terrible landing spot, that is, if Aiyuk were interested in being an immediate impact contributor on a playoff-contending AFC North franchise led by a future Hall of Fame QB.
Whether the 49ers elect to release or trade Aiyuk, the Steelers should be among his top suitors.
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