NFL insider expands on Steelers' interest in 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk

The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to be linked in stories with San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk after he officially requested a trade amid his desire for a contract extension earlier this month.

It doesn't sound like Pittsburgh is close to acquiring Aiyuk as of the early days of training camp.

"I don't sense that they would be in it for him anytime soon, even if the 49ers did open it up," NFL Media's Mike Garafolo said during Thursday's edition of NFL Network's "The Insiders" program about Pittsburgh's interest in Aiyuk, per Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot.

NFL reporter Michael Silver of The San Francisco Chronicle said shortly before the start of this year's draft that the 49ers had "asked for" a 2024 first-round draft pick in return for Aiyuk but could have accepted a second-round choice "if that pick were near the start of the second round and packaged with another selection — say, a 2025 third-rounder."

No such trade materialized, and Garafolo expanded on why Aiyuk remains with San Francisco while still in the final year of his rookie contract .

"My understanding is they at least investigated the possibility of trading for Brandon Aiyuk around draft time or before draft time," Garafolo said about the Steelers. "And the 49ers, as they did with all teams, shut that down. So it was never really a thing but it doesn't hurt to ask."

Steelers general manager Omar Khan insisted while speaking with reporters on Thursday that "there's nothing going on right now" regarding potential trade talks involving 49ers general manager John Lynch. It's no secret Lynch wants to hold onto both Aiyuk and fellow receiver Deebo Samuel with the 49ers pursuing a return to the Super Bowl following their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs this past February.

Samuel is signed through the 2025 season and may become available if San Francisco locks Aiyuk down via a lucrative extension this summer.

There are signs that receiver George Pickens may cause the Steelers some headaches during training camp, but that doesn't make it any more likely that Lynch will give up Aiyuk or Samuel at any price before Week 1. Assuming Garafolo is correct, the Steelers seemingly have embraced a reality that involves at least Aiyuk staying with the 49ers through February 2025.