Insider reveals Steelers’ untouchables in potential Brandon Aiyuk trade

The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be the front-runner to trade for 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, but the hang-up on the deal seems to be the trade compensation going back San Francisco’s way.

The 49ers have had a notoriously high asking price for the 26-year-old All-Pro wideout, but multiple reports indicate the Steelers aren’t keen on meeting San Francisco’s demands on what it wants in return despite being fine with paying Aiyuk what he wants on a new contract.

During a recent appearance on 97.1 The Fan’s “Rothman & Ice,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed the few players that are on Pittsburgh’s no-trade list.

“Pittsburgh’s not giving up George Pickens for Brandon Aiyuk,” Schefter said . “Pittsburgh’s not giving up Pat Freiermuth for Brandon Aiyuk. Certain things are not realistic.”

The 49ers have maintained all along that if they are to trade Aiyuk, they’d want back a player who can contribute to their Super Bowl run this season. They've also made teams aware that they don't have to trade Aiyuk given he's under contract for 2024, and they can franchise tag him for the next two seasons and keep him around until he's 29.

Though San Francisco drafted Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the first round of the 2024 draft, the team likely wants a depth receiver that can fill Aiyuk’s spot on the roster right away and play behind Deebo Samuel while Pearsall adjusts to the NFL.

“I think that in any trade…if you’re subtracting an elite wide receiver off a Super Bowl-caliber roster, you’d want to try to replace that player as much as you could,” Schefter said. “So, who could and would do that? Pittsburgh doesn’t have a receiver they can give to the Niners to make up for that.”