Brandon Aiyuk sent Mike Tomlin a message
Aiyuk appeared frustrated with his lack of targets in the 49ers’ loss in the Super Bowl. Per Daniel Yerushalmi with GH, Aiyuk sent a message to Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin that got NFL fans’ attention about a possible trade:
This all started on Tuesday afternoon after the San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Aiyuk posted this message on X:
“@CoachTomlin they saying we twins. What you think?”
It is note worthy that this is the first post by Aiyuk in almost a year, which very well could be just a coincidence. But many NFL fans are not buying that all and think this is a call for a trade. After the Steelers traded one of their top receivers, they may be in business to go and get another guy for Wilson in his first year with the team.
There could be more smoke on the trade front. The 49ers said they wanted to keep Aiyuk for the long term this offseason, but that doesn’t mean they’re not scoping out other options.
The San Francisco 49ers are interested in trading Aiyuk
Before the draft, the 49ers would consider trade proposals for Aiyuk, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. In answer to a query regarding the 49ers’ possible trade of their standout wide receiver this spring, Barrows said the following:
Indeed, that is how I feel. Simply travel back to when Debbie Samuel was calling for a trade two years ago. The 49ers had their phones open before and especially during the selection, waiting to see what kind of proposals Samuel would make.
The 49ers refused to budge even after receiving draft-day approaches from the Detroit Lions and New York Jets. Even if the Jets’ offer was very strong, the 49ers would have to make an extremely compelling case to release Samuel, who was coming off of an amazing 2021 season.
For Aiyuk, who gets along well with Brock Purdy, I believe a similar situation exists: the 49ers are open to offers, but it will take something significant for them to let him go.
The Pittsburgh Steelers need Diontae Johnson’s replacement
The Steelers need another wide receiver after trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers last week. They’ve been linked to Tyler Boyd this offseason. But Aiyuk could be the type of player the Steelers want to build around in an offense where they have questions at quarterback. He certainly helped Brock Purdy come along.
