The Pittsburgh Steelers still have a significant gap to fill ahead of training camp. With George Pickens firmly established as the team’s WR1, there’s uncertainty about who will play alongside the 23-year-old star, especially after the Steelers traded Pro Bowl wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers.
Recent reports suggest that the solution for the Steelers might involve acquiring one of the San Francisco 49ers’ standout wideouts.
Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel to Pittsburgh Steelers?
The Athletic recently highlighted the major challenges facing each of the 32 NFL teams as training camp approaches. Analyst Mark Kaboly identified the Steelers’ need for a reliable WR2 and suggested that a blockbuster trade with the 49ers could address this issue:
“The Steelers traded Diontae Johnson in the offseason, then created cap space before the draft with the assumption they would take a swing at a big-time receiver in either free agency or the trade market to play alongside George Pickens.
Nothing ever materialized, and the Steelers head into training camp with a sizable question mark at the WR2 position. They will let the group of Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller, and Marquez Callaway battle it out in camp, but whoever comes away with the victory will do little to prevent teams from bracketing Pickens. That’s where a trade for one of the 49ers’ receivers — Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel — might materialize because it is unlikely one of the aforementioned receivers suddenly turns into a legitimate second threat for Russell Wilson,” Kaboly wrote.
This isn’t the first time Aiyuk has been linked to the Steelers, and now Deebo Samuel is also being mentioned as a potential target. There is considerable speculation about the futures of both stars in San Francisco, and it may be in the Steelers’ best interest to act quickly.
However, it’s clear that Pittsburgh will need to offer a substantial trade package to secure either of these established receivers.
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