Aiyuk Signs Extension With 49ers, Leaves Steelers Empty-Handed

The Pittsburgh Steelers spent their offseason attempting to trade for San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Simply put, they swung and missed.

On Thursday, Mike Garafolo reported that the 49ers signed Aiyuk to a four-year, $120 million deal with $76 million guaranteed.

The saga is over. The summer is over. And Pittsburgh has one fewer quality receiver than it had at the end of last season.

After trading away veteran receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers for cornerback Donte Jackson, the Steelers were all in on the star receiver. After months of rumors, deals on the precipice of acceptance, and a presumption that Pittsburgh would do something to upgrade its receiving corps.

Instead, it will enter Week 1 with George Pickens and several unproven options. Between castaway Van Jefferson to third-round rookie Roman Wilson and the undersized Calvin Austin III, the team’s lackluster receiving corps threatens the legitimacy of the passing attack .

Aiyuk is one of the league’s best pure separators, a natural complement to Pickens. Instead, he’ll stay home in what’s the best-case scenario for both parties. The 49ers, in the middle of a Super Bowl window, keep their star receiver, and Aiyuk joins the pantheon of elite receivers getting paid their worth.

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His deal ranks fifth among active receivers in total value, behind only Justin Jefferson, Davante Adams, CeeDee Lamb, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. In terms of average annual value, Aiyuk ($30 million) is tied with Tyreek Hill, again fifth among receivers.

Needless to say, the Steelers have found themselves in a suboptimal spot. With little in the form of starpower on the open market, Pittsburgh’s long-term answer at receiver will become a question for next offseason.