SCHEFTER: STEELERS, OTHER NFL TEAMS WON'T BE LANDING BIG NAME RECEIVER BRANDON AIYUK
The Pittsburgh Steelers wanted to eliminate distractions within the locker room during the 2024 offseason, something the front office believes it did by trading away both Kenny Pickett and Diontae Johnson. While Pittsburgh brought in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to fill the gap left by Pickett, the team has yet to make the same kind of move to acquire another pass catcher opposite George Pickens. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of receivers on the team's roster; however, there is concern that none of them are legitimate options for joining Pickens as weapons in the passing game.
When the Steelers traded Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, that same transaction also brought in Donte Jackson to shut down opposing receivers across from Joey Porter Jr., and it also began Pittsburgh's hunt for another upper-tier option next to Pickens. Trade rumors have been swirling about leading up to and following the 2024 NFL Draft, linking the Steelers to such names as Justin Jefferson, Stefon Diggs, and Brandon Aiyuk. While Jefferson and Diggs got their respective contracts, Aiyuk's name is still being connected to Pittsburgh on an almost daily basis. However, Adam Schefter was on the Rothman & Ice podcast to throw some cold water on Aiyuk wearing black and gold in 2024.
"I would expect that he's in a [49ers] uniform. You know, the question is, is it going to be beyond this year? Like, they -- he's under contract to them, and why would a Super Bowl-contending team trade a starting wide receiver for a future draft pick? Not gonna do that. That doesn't do anything to help you win a Super Bowl this year, right? So, I don't expect that they're trading him; that's not what I'm expecting right now."
Pittsburgh's front office has put together a stellar 2024 offseason thus far, with Wilson and Fields brought in, Patrick Queen switching teams within the AFC North, and a brilliant draft haul filling out the offensive trenches. Omar Khan and Andy Weidl have fans in Pittsburgh expecting the big move rather than watching it go by, which is a big reason for the Aiyuk excitement. There is a significant difference between wanting the shiny new toy and finding a way to make it a reality, which is why Schefter doesn't see the trade happening, at least not in 2024.
The decision to move on from Johnson wasn't based purely on production, although the former Toledo Rocket struggled to find the end zone without Ben Roethlisberger under center. From 2019 to 2021, Johnson caught 20 touchdowns from Roethlisberger, but with the quarterback mixture of Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph, Johnson managed 13 touchdowns in three seasons (none in 2022). An apparent lack of effort on the field led to Johnson's being traded, leaving Pickens as the top pass catcher on the team.
Pickens has shown in only two NFL seasons why the Steelers were right to spend a 2022 second-round pick on the former Georgia receiver. After a breakout rookie campaign that saw Pickens tally 801 yards with four scores, he followed it up with 1,140 yards and five touchdowns in 2023. Considering that Pickens has only had subpar quarterback play since being drafted, the prospect of pairing him with a Super Bowl-winning quarterback like Wilson has expectations flying high in Pittsburgh.
Steelers Could Stay Where They Are
As much as the media and fans are clamoring for Pittsburgh to make a big move, whether it is for Aiyuk or another big-name receiver, there is a very good chance that the Steelers simply stick with the pass catchers already on the roster. With Johnson in Carolina, that leaves Pickens to be paired with Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, rookie Roman Wilson, Quez Watkins, or Dez Fitzpatrick. None of the names on that list are proven, and while there is plenty of potential, it would leave Pickens with most of the pressure on his shoulders.
Pickens has shown more than a few splashes of elite NFL skills, but there have also been moments where his lack of maturity has caused concern. There is always a give-and-take when it comes to star NFL receivers, but the production has to outpace the distractions, and at the moment, that is a toss-up for the third-year standout. If the Steelers decide against a big trade, then Pickens will get every opportunity to show why he deserves to be called a legitimate starting receiver.
If the Steelers trade for a WR, who should it be if not Brandon Aiyuk?
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2024-07-04T00:29:34Z dg43tfdfdgfd