Reporter Hints at Potential Holdup in Steelers-Brandon Aiyuk Trade

The consensus around the NFL seems to be that San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers will eventually agree to a trade that land star receiver Brandon Aiyuk in the Steel City, but there’s a few more I’s that need dotted and T’s that need crossed.

While no one knows for sure what exactly the holdup is with the deal that’s been rumored to be happening for days, “Locked On 49ers” host Brian Peacock may have answered that question on Wednesday.

“It's becoming very clear that the 49ers want a WR back in an Aiyuk trade,” Peacock tweeted . “From what I understand, a deal might be agreed upon with the Steelers, but the holdup is SF finding a third team to flip picks for a WR.”

The 49ers have been adamant on getting a receiver back in any trade involving Aiyuk. They’re in a clear Super Bowl window right now, and if they’re going to deal away a part of their offense as integral as Aiyuk, it makes sense they’d want a player back that can at least help fill the void he’ll leave.

Which is why of all the interested teams that have reached out to the 49ers, the Cleveland Browns make the most sense as trade partner given their willingness to send five-time Pro Bowl WR Amari Cooper back the other way.

Outside of George Pickens, the Steelers don’t have another receiver on their roster of interest to the 49ers, which is why getting a third team involved makes quite a bit of sense with Pittsburgh sending a package of draft picks to that team, which in turn, would send a receiver back to San Francisco.

There was some talk on social media that the Las Vegas Raiders were believed to be the mystery third team trying to get involved with Davante Adams going back to the 49ers, but that appears to be just pure speculation and nothing more at this juncture.

Related: Insider Hints 49ers Are Close To Trading Brandon Aiyuk To One Of Two Teams