Brandon Aiyuk

[Jtf]

Signing Robbie Anderson to me is an indication something is going down…

Ya their first rounder has injury. They need bodies for camp

[anpsteel]

Those two statements don’t work together, because if they are in win now mode for two seasons. Then having to re-sign one of these likely not elite QBs to a big money contract could, in fact, scuttle the salary cap.

Next year they have a ton of cap space.

My point is, win now, does not require, "make outrageous contractual commitments"

You can load the team, and still maintain salary cap responsibility.

Of course, there are plenty of examples to the contrary. I just don't think that's a path the Steelers would go down.

Now if they had a franchise QB, with a very limited remaining shelf life, - that might make me revise my statement, but they dont-

So I think it's load up as much as you can... without destroying the Cap structure.

just my thoughts.

I get it. I’m just saying if they redo Cam, bring in Aiyuk at $30M/per, sign Freiermuth to a big contract, offer Pickens, and pay Justin freaking Fields or Russ old man Wilson market value, they will have negative a lot cap room

I completely understand.

I don't necessarilly think they are going to get Aiyuk, and if they do, despite what is being reported, it will absolutely impact any extension for Pickens.

I can't recall a single time the team has paid top tier money to 2 or more receivers at the same time.

I do think they'll offer Cam a reasonable extension. I'm thinking apx $15m p/yr - no more than 3 season, with it structured to essentially be a 2 year deal.

I don't see them paying Russ top tier money, unless he has an incredible season, which forces their hand.

I think it's more likely they try to re-sign Fields at $15m-$20m (or whatever a mid to lower tier starter is these days) probably a 3 year deal as well.

Freiremuth is a tough one. I can't justify more than $10m p/yr- not sure if that gets it done. I think he may play his way out of an extension w/ the steelers, this season.

Anywho- hopefully this QB situation resolves itself in a good way, or really badly, so we lose Tomlin, after 25/26 season, and are in position to draft a top QB.

[Louis Lipps Service]

I just posted the link. Saw this coming a mile away. Why trade this guy if you are going for Super Bowl. Teams are only offering a second. Keep him and if you lose him you get a comp pick and have him for the season. That seems like what they decided. They are working on a deal though to sign him. Knew he was wasn’t getting traded when poni express from 93.7 said it was done lol.

I wouldn’t trade him unless I got a kings ransom unless I was a rebuilding team. They are not. Steelers will bring back juju

Keeping him for this season, sure. I can buy that. He’d be pissy, but he’d play.

I don’t know if negotiating a long term deal with him is smart, though.

They already gave Deebo a big contract, so now you’d have two WRs on huge contracts, plus George Kittle and McCaffrey on pretty big contracts as well.

Plus Purdy needs a new contract (or you need pay another QB).

All this, and the 49ers are already -7M UNDER the cap for 2025.

They’ll restructure, cut, and trade players to free up
space, sure. But with a big QB contract still on the horizon, giving Aiyuk a big deal seems like a really bad idea.

[Jtf]

https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1822011380129808392

They are working toward extension with him
They will just play the credit card game with their salary cap. Or next year they will trade Debo. They won’t take a huge cap hit with that. With the way the contract is structured.

Me if I was niners. I would let him sit out till week one. He will play. He wouldn’t do what bell did.

But they will prob sign him to extension and worry about cap later. I figured that was most likely outcome unless a team was willing to give them high quality player and picks. No team is doing that.

[Jtf]

I just posted the link. Saw this coming a mile away. Why trade this guy if you are going for Super Bowl. Teams are only offering a second. Keep him and if you lose him you get a comp pick and have him for the season. That seems like what they decided. They are working on a deal though to sign him. Knew he was wasn’t getting traded when poni express from 93.7 said it was done lol.

I wouldn’t trade him unless I got a kings ransom unless I was a rebuilding team. They are not. Steelers will bring back juju

Keeping him for this season, sure. I can buy that. He’d be pissy, but he’d play.

I don’t know if negotiating a long term deal with him is smart, though.

They already gave Deebo a big contract, so now you’d have two WRs on huge contracts, plus George Kittle and McCaffrey on pretty big contracts as well.

Plus Purdy needs a new contract (or you need pay another QB).

All this, and the 49ers are already -7M UNDER the cap for 2025.

They’ll restructure, cut, and trade players to free up
space, sure. But with a big QB contract still on the horizon, giving Aiyuk a big deal seems like a really bad idea.

I agree but teams like to kick the can down the line with salary cap. Heck if they don’t win superbowl coach and gm could get replaced and new gm has to worry about salary cap. Steelers kicked the can on salary cap for years. It can be done.

[Jobu]

Surely you forget we have Darnell “The Outlier” Washington on the roster?

[bradshaw2ben]

I think it's more likely they try to re-sign Fields at $15m-$20m (or whatever a mid to lower tier starter is these days) probably a 3 year deal as well.[/quote]

It may surprise you to learn that the 16th highest paid QB currently sits at $40M/per year. That is defacto what a mid to lower tier starter goes for these days.

Last year, QB 16 made $33.5M/per, so expect next year a mid-level starter to be paid about $47.75M/per.

Baker Mayfield is making $33.33M/per and Derek Carr $37.5M. It's a new world.

All the more reason to draft a rookie QB making under $10M/per for 5 years.

[jebrick]

Aiyuk and the 49'ers are negotiating again on an extension. I am pretty sure he is going no where.

[Ice]

Freiermuth is the Steeler with the most pressure on him this season. It's an offense that badly wants to feature it. Early round target soon if he looks pedestrian. Eric Green would have been great with Uncle Artie.

[jebrick]

The Aiyuk thing is getting strange(er)

https://x.com/DMRussini/status/1822027316064874923

texted a front office executive:
Q: Why do you think the 49ers aren’t calling back the Steelers?
A: Probably wait as long as they can…force someone to blink. Sounds like they really don’t want to trade. Maybe hoping someone else comes along. The whole thing is very strange.

and

https://x.com/steelersdepot/status/1822 ... 7qD0xqd6aA

Brad, Niners be in the media everyday lol, it's two options out there pick one and stop dropping reports simple

That quote is from Aiyuk

Could be that Aiyuk is hinting that the new talks with the 49'ers are not happening.

[anpsteel]

I think it's more likely they try to re-sign Fields at $15m-$20m (or whatever a mid to lower tier starter is these days) probably a 3 year deal as well.

It may surprise you to learn that the 16th highest paid QB currently sits at $40M/per year. That is defacto what a mid to lower tier starter goes for these days.

Last year, QB 16 made $33.5M/per, so expect next year a mid-level starter to be paid about $47.75M/per.

Baker Mayfield is making $33.33M/per and Derek Carr $37.5M. It's a new world.

All the more reason to draft a rookie QB making under $10M/per for 5 years.
[/quote]

Yikes

I didn’t realize the qb salaries were that inflated all down the line

I can’t mentally accept a $30m -$35m p/yr for Justin flipping fields

[tbsteel]

The Aiyuk thing is getting strange(er)

https://x.com/DMRussini/status/1822027316064874923

texted a front office executive:
Q: Why do you think the 49ers aren’t calling back the Steelers?
A: Probably wait as long as they can…force someone to blink. Sounds like they really don’t want to trade. Maybe hoping someone else comes along. The whole thing is very strange.

and

https://x.com/steelersdepot/status/1822 ... 7qD0xqd6aA

Brad, Niners be in the media everyday lol, it's two options out there pick one and stop dropping reports simple

That quote is from Aiyuk

Could be that Aiyuk is hinting that the new talks with the 49'ers are not happening.

My read on that is: trade me or pay me.

For some weird reason, he actually wants to come to Pittsburgh.

I think it would be a failure by Khan not to get him if you can do it without giving up a first. If it takes a 2 and a 3? Do it. He's a 26-year-old All-Pro level WR who you'd have locked up through his prime. Seems like a no-brainer.

[.Kodiak]

For some weird reason, he actually wants to come to Pittsburgh.

You wondered about that too?

I think you probably hit the nail on the head - wants to get paid, and looks at the cap PIT has. And/or among potential landing spots, maybe he's intrigued to play with Wilson.

Another scenario is he can get his money and play for Country Club Tomlin.

Because like you I don't know why anyone who wants a championship would want to play for Tomlin. Of course, Aiyuk is still young and money is the priority. Not having a ring isn't something that hits most guys until they're a few years from retirement.

[Jtf]

Don’t see anything strange about this at. Except you believed the reports that it was a done deal.

Niners engaged in trade talks. They want kings ransom.
They got decent offers from browns and pats but the guy wants to play for Tomlin

Steelers lowballed on the offer. Thinking niners would accept. Niners now just going to work out a deal with him. Thought this would happen all along

You are going for Super Bowl. You don’t trade a piece like that. Heck if they don’t reach deal I would bet he still comes in week one. Then you keep him for Super Bowl run. Then try to work out deal or you lose him for comp pick.

Obviously Steelers are offering something that is not much better than comp pick. Maybe a 2nd and 4th.
Niners rather keep him

Also remember deadlines make deals happen. Now they are working on new contract.

[Jtf]

The Aiyuk thing is getting strange(er)

https://x.com/DMRussini/status/1822027316064874923

texted a front office executive:
Q: Why do you think the 49ers aren’t calling back the Steelers?
A: Probably wait as long as they can…force someone to blink. Sounds like they really don’t want to trade. Maybe hoping someone else comes along. The whole thing is very strange.

and

https://x.com/steelersdepot/status/1822 ... 7qD0xqd6aA

Brad, Niners be in the media everyday lol, it's two options out there pick one and stop dropping reports simple

That quote is from Aiyuk

Could be that Aiyuk is hinting that the new talks with the 49'ers are not happening.

My read on that is: trade me or pay me.

For some weird reason, he actually wants to come to Pittsburgh.

I think it would be a failure by Khan not to get him if you can do it without giving up a first. If it takes a 2 and a 3? Do it. He's a 26-year-old All-Pro level WR who you'd have locked up through his prime. Seems like a no-brainer.

That’s the problem. Niners want more than a two and three. They are getting better offers from other teams but this guy wants to play with Tomlin. So they are better off just keeping him they are realizing.

Hence my link above that they are in contract talks again

Little know fact is niners were offered the 34 pick in last years draft and said no. They want a player and first or second rounder.

Can’t blame Steelers for thinking maybe we can lowball niners and niners will just want to get rid of distraction . And he in rejecting contracts with pats .

But niners realize they should be getting more then. 2 and 4. Or second and 3.

Hence they are just going to resign him and kick the can down the road on salary cap.

[Thrillsseeker]

I think it's more likely they try to re-sign Fields at $15m-$20m (or whatever a mid to lower tier starter is these days) probably a 3 year deal as well.

It may surprise you to learn that the 16th highest paid QB currently sits at $40M/per year. That is defacto what a mid to lower tier starter goes for these days.

Last year, QB 16 made $33.5M/per, so expect next year a mid-level starter to be paid about $47.75M/per.

Baker Mayfield is making $33.33M/per and Derek Carr $37.5M. It's a new world.

All the more reason to draft a rookie QB making under $10M/per for 5 years.

Yikes

I didn’t realize the qb salaries were that inflated all down the line

I can’t mentally accept a $30m -$35m p/yr for Justin flipping fields
[/quote]

QB salary has gone nuts but with the coming tv contracts over the next cpl years the cap is going to continue to shoot up also. I think the QB dollars are ridiculous butit is what it is.

Better start mentally preparing because if Fields gets playing time this year and is average or better, Fraudlin is gonna pay him.

[Jtf]

Browns offered copper 2nd and 3rd. Niners accepted but Aiyuk didn’t want to play there

So for Steelers to meet niners demand
Steelers would have to give up second third or maybe 4 instead. Plus either Pickens or friermouth .

Would you do that. ?

You are not getting Aiyuk for 2 and 4 and Calvin Harris.
This isn’t madden.

[Orangesteel]

I’d probably trade Friermuth for the deal and sign a FA tight end maybe Logan Thomas who was just released by the Niners.

They for some reason love Pat so it’s probably not going to happen.

[Jtf]

I would trade Pickens honestly. He is a head case. Prob won’t even get second contract.

[cop1211]

Pickens and a 3rd and 6th. No more than that.

[Orangesteel]

You can’t call this a complete WR group without both Pickens and Aiyuk. I don’t think we get Aiyuk but you need both IMO.

[K_C_]

You can’t call this a complete WR group without both Pickens and Aiyuk. I don’t think we get Aiyuk but you need both IMO.

I actually thought the WR group looked good last night.

I'm far more worried about QB, the o-line and TE.

Pickens is primed for a superstar level year.

I think Austin, Jefferson, Wilson, Miller, etc. will be fine. I'm far more worried about who will be getting them the ball and the line who will be protecting them.

Fields made one really great throw but he showed zero pocket awareness and IS going to have some huge turnovers in big situations if he has to take a large majority of the snaps in 2024.

Aiyuk or not, I think we have guys that can get open and make plays at WR. It's everywhere else that tells me this is a 5 or 6 win team.

[Orangesteel]

I’m with you KC, as is I think they can put up numbers if RW can get his passing going.

But god help us if Jefferson or Pickens get dinged, and what if Roman Wilson doesn’t look like an NFL receiver until next season? I mean “complete” in the sense that an NFL season takes its toll on WRs and you don’t have a complete group until you can still function if some of the guys go down. Every team deals with it; how good is your group if your playmakers miss time? That’s the difference in the course of a season.

[Steelcody7]

I would trade Pickens honestly. He is a head case. Prob won’t even get second contract.

That would be stupid.

He's a young dude with top 10 WR potential on a team that lacks explosive talent. I don't see this deal getting done though so it doesn't matter.

[steelmann58]

Not moving Pickens period.

[Jtf]

I would trade Pickens honestly. He is a head case. Prob won’t even get second contract.

That would be stupid.

He's a young dude with top 10 WR potential on a team that lacks explosive talent. I don't see this deal getting done though so it doesn't matter.

I agree it would it would still lead to incomplete wide receiver core if they traded Pickens. No doubt. But dude is a head case. Doubt he sees a second contract. Sell high. He will implode and it will be ugly. Really ugly.

[jebrick]

Now the 49'ers are contradicting their own twitter feed by saying they did not have a productive meeting with Aiyuk.

The game of chicken continues

[W&M_Steeler]

I’d probably trade Friermuth for the deal and sign a FA tight end maybe Logan Thomas who was just released by the Niners.

They for some reason love Pat so it’s probably not going to happen.

Friermuth and a 2nd for Aiyuk would be nice. Muth is fragile, and he's not that great even when he's healthy. I think Washington would be a decent Muth replacement. Sign Aiyuk, get a premium TE next year in the draft. The Steelers have had mediocre at best talent at TE since Heath retired.

[.Kodiak]

Giving up significant draft capital AND paying a guy $28M per year only makes sense if you're 1 WR away from competing for a SB.

Maybe that's possible if the new OC isn't a neanderthal, if Wilson can still be a top-12ish QB, and if the OL gels sooner than later. But that's a lot 'ifs'.

And that defense....last year 17th against the pass, 19th against the run, 21st overall. That's yards, and might have been adversely affected by the anemic offense. But aside from some timely turnovers and sacks, which you really can't rely on as a playoff formula, that was NOT anywhere near a championship-level defense.

[Orlaco]

Aiyuk will not play in SF under his current contract. No way.

Numbers being tossed around are like 120 million with 85 guaranteed if he signs elsewhere (even the Browns…which he has in his back pocket).. His one year remaining option is worth 14 million. You risk 80 million guaranteed for 14 this season…while hoping not to get injured (or not playing great)?

F’no.