Tim Benz: If there is any fire to the smoke about Brandon Aiyuk, the Steelers should fan the flames

Trade rumors are kicking up about San Francisco star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk — and the Steelers are one of the rumored targets.

Aiyuk is coming to the end of his rookie contract, and he wants an extension. However, the 49ers don’t usually hammer out contract extensions until July or August. It appears Aiyuk may be drumming up trade interest so he can secure one quickly with another team via a deal instead of waiting to see if the Niners will extend him before training camp.

The 26-year-old is doing so by way of his social media activity. He started following Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence and some other Jaguars on Instagram. There was also a report on 1010XL radio that the Jaguars had discussed swapping a first-round pick and receiver Zay Jones to San Francisco for Aiyuk. But those discussions “fizzled out,” in part because of the need to extend Aiyuk beyond this year once the trade is done.

As I noted on #XLPrimetime: #49ers reportedly would've wanted No. 17 overall + Zay Jones. Then #Jaguars would have to pay Aiyuk. So, fizzling out.

(hopefully this tweet will stop all the random Niners fans who have Facebook friend requested/IG DM'd me in the last 4 days) https://t.co/jm3pEXXxM2

— Mia O'Brien (@MiaOBrienTV) March 18, 2024

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, 93.7 The Fan’s Andrew Fillipponi posted that the Steelers have shown an interest in Aiyuk, too.

Sources: The Steelers have looked into 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk. He’s entering the last year of his contract. Steelers would have to execute a sign and trade. But they’ve shown interest. pic.twitter.com/Ftef5j2Ddr

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) March 19, 2024

A few hours later, Aiyuk tweeted directly to Mike Tomlin, asking if he thought they looked alike.

@CoachTomlin they saying we twins. What you think ? ????

— BA (@THE2ERA) March 19, 2024

Well, I think if Tomlin had answered that question, it could’ve been viewed as tampering, so it’s wise that he didn’t.

What Aiyuk was referencing was this post on X last month.

Brandon Aiyuk is Mike Tomlin with extensions ???? pic.twitter.com/s0AgIwPq40

— Mike Daddino (@mike_daddino) February 15, 2024

Aiyuk was a second-team All-Pro this year. He was seventh in the NFL in receiving yards (1,342) and was second behind the Steelers’ George Pickens in average yards per reception (18.3) at 17.9.

The 2020 first-round pick out of Arizona State also roasted the Steelers for eight catches, 129 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1.

Brandon Aiyuk is back to running nasty routes ????

????: #SFvsPIT on FOX
????: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/G4uoYVOqQn pic.twitter.com/uvYRoJhivU

— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023

If the Steelers were to acquire Aiyuk, that would be their best acquisition of the offseason. Even better than Patrick Queen. Yes, even better than the flimsy $1.5 million needed to sign aging quarterback Russell Wilson, or the trade for Chicago QB Justin Fields. They should absolutely do it, even if the extension cost is hefty and even if it costs a draft selection over the first two days of this year’s draft and/or a player.

Aiyuk’s cap hit is $14.2 million for this year, and the Steelers only have $15 million left. So there would have to be significant creativity on the extension.

But if general manager Omar Khan can make it happen, he should do so.