With the news that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has officially requested a trade from the Niners, speculation can now begin about where he will land.
Niners Wire editor Kyle Madson asked his fellow NFL editors if they thought their team would entertain a trade and if so, what that would look like. As the Pittsburgh Steelers editor, I threw my hat in the ring and Madson came back with a fascinating counteroffer.
We originally offered a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 second-round pick. I would in no way send a first-round pick for Aiyuk. This is no dig on him but those picks are just too valuable to a team like the Steelers with Omar Khan as general manager.
Here’s what Madson offered as a counter that included the 2025 second-round pick but threw in edge Alex Highsmith over another draft choice:
It’s tough to find a deal that works with the Steelers. Highsmith is probably the best player they have that the 49ers would want and potentially get. It’s a steep ask, but San Francisco would need a player who could help them this year and Highsmith would immediately become their second-best edge rusher.
A trade like this would be contingent on just how confident the Steelers are with second-year edge defender Nick Herbig. Fans may look at this as completely unrealistic but when you consider the Steelers traded away wide receiver Diontae Johnson for a starting cornerback with no backup plan, you understand anything is possible with this Steelers front office.
Personally, I make this trade and then hit free agency for a veteran edge defender or even two as a security net with Herbig.