Steelers Struck deal with a Less Expensive WR to replace off mark Aiyuk who…

Disgruntled 49ers player Brandon Aiyuk has been connected to the Pittsburgh Steelers for months, and as the offseason goes on, the connection only gets stronger. However, one guy is not persuaded.According to Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, the team will look for a less expensive option to replace Aiyuk, who is expected to earn a $14 million salary, instead of trying to sign him.

“I think they’ll go something a little cheaper,” Kaboly said on 93.7 The Fan this week. “Or at least try to.”

“Cheaper” has been the name of the game for the Steelers at wide receiver so far this offseason. They traded $18 million man Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers and replaced him with free agent signings Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins and Cordarrelle Patterson for a combined $3.55 million.

Kaboly is concerned about what it would take to keep Aiyuk and George Pickens – whose rookie contract expires at the end of the 2025 season – in Pittsburgh long term. Aiyuk is an unrestricted free agent next spring and will command a massive amount of money if he continues to produce at the same level he has over the past two seasons.

“The key is do you want to be committed to a guy for $23, $24 million … and then in a year from now pay George Pickens very similar to that money?” Kaboly said.

Selecting a wide receiver in the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft is probably the less expensive choice. Although there is a tonne of talented receivers in this year’s class, the Steelers would need to utilise a premium choice to get a player that can start opposite Pickens. The Steelers need someone who can, at the very least, be a No. 2 option since their free agent and trade choices are getting less.

Although Kaboly doesn’t think the Aiyuk rumours are likely to materialise, he also can’t rule them out.

Regarding the likelihood of an Aiyuk trade, he stated, “I would say very limited but once again, I’m not going to rule anything out.” “Over the past 18 months, everyone should have realised that anything is possible.”