Why Steelers reportedly won't trade for 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk

Shortly after unsettled San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was linked with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots on Monday night, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers "effectively no longer are an option" for the 26-year-old "after they declined to meet the 49ers' trade demands."

While the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots have cleared that bar, per the report, the Steelers did not and the Washington Commanders removed themselves from consideration.

Maiocco wrote that it's now up to Cleveland and New England to negotiate a contract with Aiyuk and, in turn, greenlight a deal.

"The Browns and Patriots have given their best offers to Aiyuk’s camp while also presenting trade proposals that the 49ers have accepted, the source said," Maiocco wrote. "The 49ers likely would acquire a veteran wide receiver and a package of draft picks from the Browns or the Patriots."

Reporter and Pittsburgh radio station 93.7 The Fan sports director Jeff Hathhorn explained during a Tuesday morning on-air segment why the Steelers apparently won't be landing Aiyuk this summer.

"The Steelers are interested and there have been ongoing discussions with the camp," Hathhorn said about Pittsburgh pursuing Aiyuk, per Josh Carney of Steelers Depot. "But they are also not gonna give up the world for Brandon Aiyuk. ... What are you willing to give up in a trade? Let's say the season goes south, you don't have a quarterback for next year. I know a first-round pick's gonna be part of that compensation [sent to San Francisco for Aiyuk]."

Aiyuk remains in the final year of his rookie contract and seemingly wants to become one of the highest-paid players at the position before he commits to taking the field for any club in September. While Pittsburgh was linked with Aiyuk before this year's draft because of the team's supposed need for a No. 1 receiver, the Steelers also don't yet know if Russell Wilson or Justin Fields will emerge as their starting quarterback for at least 2025.

Both Wilson and Fields can reach free agency in March of next year.

ESPN's Adam Schefter mentioned on Tuesday morning that it is "complicated" for a team to meet the asking prices named by both Aiyuk and the 49ers regarding a trade. "So far, no one has been able to do it," Schefter added.

It's worth noting that San Francisco still has Aiyuk signed through the upcoming season and, thus, can wait him out to see if he'll experience a change of heart about playing in a contract year as the club attempts to complete a second straight trip to the Super Bowl. Unless he decides he'd rather join the Steelers than the Patriots or Browns, it appears Pittsburgh won't be making any blockbuster trade ahead of Week 1.