Years after the Pittsburgh Steelers' reported trade interest in Brandon Aiyuk, a new NFL update could land the disgruntled San Francisco 49ers wide receiver right in their laps.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Aiyuk hired prominent agent Drew Rosenhaus and applied to the NFL for reinstatement. He also reportedly plans to report to the 49ers' facility on Friday, and ESPN's Nick Wagoner added that a release seems more likely than a trade. That's where the Steelers come into play.
"Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has turned in paperwork to be reinstated, per his agent Drew Rosenhaus," Schefter wrote via X. "Aiyuk, who currently is on San Francisco’s Reserve/Left Squad list, will be reporting to the 49ers’ training facility Friday afternoon, per Drew Rosenhaus.
'Brandon is healthy and ready to get back on the field,' Rosenhaus said."
The Steelers, in desperate need of wide receiver talent, would make an excellent landing spot for Aiyuk if released by the 49ers. Pittsburgh previously showed heavy interest in Aiyuk back in 2024 and, considering the receiver woes plaguing the team, an acquisition would make a lot of sense.
Aiyuk, drafted by the 49ers in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, quickly emerged as one of the league's top route runners, recording 4,305 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns through his first five years in the league. He unfortunately suffered a season-ending knee injury after signing a four-year contract with the 49ers, and his relationship with San Francisco quickly spiraled out of control from there.
With a 49ers exit seemingly imminent, the Steelers would make for a perfect fresh start. But if Pittsburgh decides there is too much baggage with Aiyuk, the team still has an opportunity to pursue a wide receiver as the NFL trade deadline quickly approaches.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any roster news and injury updates, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Should Steelers pursue Brandon Aiyuk after major NFL update?
