Broncos held up 49ers trading Brandon Aiyuk to Steelers per the Athletic

The Denver Broncos might be the reason wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is still with the San Francisco 49ers.

A trade was in place between the 49ers and Steelers to send Aiyuk to Pittsburgh. That trade ultimately never materialized, and the Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported the Broncos are the reason why.

Russini on Thursday reported the 49ers were going to acquire a third-round pick from the Steelers, and then flip a third-round selection to the Denver Broncos in exchange for wide receiver Courtland Sutton. Denver didn’t take the deal.

This makes the 49ers-Steelers trade talks a lot more clear.

San Francisco was on the hunt for an asset to help them in the 2024 season. A quick look at the Steelers roster showed there weren’t many realistic options in that realm, especially if the 49ers wanted a wide receiver.

The 49ers instead tried to get creative since Pittsburgh was one of the only teams Aiyuk would’ve agreed to sign with long-term. That was a prerequisite for any trade.

Alas, Denver wouldn’t move off Sutton for a late Day 2 pick. That effectively squashed any hope of a trade between the 49ers and Steelers, opening the door for the 49ers to up their offer and ink Aiyuk to a four-year extension that will keep him under contract through the 2028 season.