Brandon Aiyuk’s first tweet in 11 months is directed at Mike Tomlin
San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been the subject of trade speculation this offseason as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract.
Earlier on Tuesday, Andrew Filliponi of 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh reported that the Steelers have shown interest in trading for Aiyuk.
The veteran pass-catcher helped fuel that connection in the afternoon by making a rare social media post directed at Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
Of note: Aiyuk, who was referencing a popular meme regarding their physical similarities, had previously been inactive on X for almost a year. His post directed at Tomlin was his first since April 2023. He also “liked” a different tweet critical of his relationship with the 49ers.
It certainly shouldn’t come as a surprise that Pittsburgh is interested in acquiring a player like Aiyuk.
One of the best wide receivers in football, he has registered at least 75 catches and 1,000 yards each of the past two seasons. He is also just 26 years old and in the prime of his career.
The Steelers are in the market for a top wide receiver after trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers last week. Pittsburgh is scheduled to meet with free agent Mike Williams later this week, but team insider Gerry Dulac recently told Rich Eisen that the Steelers might have their sights set on a bigger catch than Williams. That would almost certainly require a trade.
In recent years this type of trade speculation involving the Steelers would have been unheard of given how patient and conservative they tend to be in the offseason. New general manager Omar Khan and his right-hand man, Andy Weidl, have taken a completely different approach over the past two seasons.
Given the signing of All-Pro linebacker Patrick Queen and the proactive way they have overhauled their quarterback room, nothing would seem to be off the table for Pittsburgh this offseason.
The bigger question is what it would take to pry Aiyuk from the the 49ers, having made two Super Bowl appearances with him over the last five years, including a 25-22 loss to the Chiefs this past February.