Denver Ruins Pittsburgh's Trade For Aiyuk

For months the Pittsburgh Steelers have been trying to trade for San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk. For the last few weeks, it was rumored that the trade was on the cusp of happening.

Now we know that the holdup - or one of them - involved the Denver Broncos. Dianna Russini of The Athletic is detailing how a third team involved in the complex two-trade deal represented Pittsburgh’s chance of making this thing happen.

And then it didn't happen. Why?

“The 49ers only were willing to trade Aiyuk if they could get a top-flight wide receiver to replace him,” Russini writes. “They offered a third-round pick to Denver for Courtland Sutton, and then would’ve dealt Aiyuk to the Steelers, but the Broncos declined the (Sutton) offer.”

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer added a little more context to the situation in his column.

“This scenario, as I understand it,” Breer wrote, “would’ve had the 49ers landing 2nd- and 3rd-round picks from Pittsburgh for Brandon Aiyuk, flipping the 3 to Denver. The Steelers didn’t want to part with a player for Aiyuk. All’s well that ends well—Keeping Aiyuk was always SF’s preference.”

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

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter also reported that Aiyuk accepted the same deal that’s been on the table since Aug. 12.

So, the Steelers are left out in the cold holding an empty bag. ... that they almost filled with a star receiver in exchange for a trade package that didn't have to include a first-round pick. Almost.