Mike Tomlin teases Brandon Aiyuk rumors: 'It's a little early on the west side' for phone call

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had a unique way at addressing the Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors during his Wednesday appearance on 102.5 WDVE.

Asked if there were any a.m. phone calls before he sat down, Tomlin said, “It’s a little early on the west side right now so probably not,” via Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Tomlin, ever the wordsmith, did a fine job of alluding to the Aiyuk rumors without ever mentioning him by name.

Aiyuk, the 49ers star wideout, is available for trade after contract negotiations with San Francisco stalled. On Monday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reported that the 49ers had the “frameworks” done on trades for Aiyuk with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots. Aiyuk would then have a decision between the two if he did not want to sign a contract extension with the 49ers.

The Patriots have since pulled out of discussions to acquire Aiyuk, as the 26-year-old showed no interest in signing with the franchise, even as New England offered north of $30 million annually, according to Maiocco. In Maiocco’s initial report, he noted that the 49ers granted the Steelers permission to speak with Aiyuk’s agent. Pittsburgh, however, pulled out of negotiations due to San Francisco’s high asking price.

NFL Network: Pittsburgh Steelers still in the race for Brandon Aiyuk

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network said Tuesday that Pittsburgh is not out of the Aiyuk sweepstakes, and the Steelers also happen to be his preferred destination.

“The Steelers were never out of it, and they’re not out of it as we sit here right now, as well,” Garafolo said on NFL Network. “It sounds like, if you piece this all together, that would be Aiyuk’s preferred destination of all the teams that we’ve talked about.

“So, it’s just got to get to the point where the Steelers can sweeten the pot when it comes to the trade offer with the 49ers. And then we can get to a point where Aiyuk can get a deal done with the Steelers and get over there. But in the meantime, it is a standoff right now. There has been no progress. It feels like we’re getting closer, but we’re doing it very slowly.”

Steelers chasing Brandon Aiyuk to help offensive production

Aiyuk, the 2020 first round pick (25th overall) out of Arizona State, hauled in 75 receptions for a career-high 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns this past season. He earned a second-team All-Pro nomination. For his career, he has tallied 269 receptions for 3,931 yards and 25 scores. The 49ers picked up Aiyuk’s fifth-year option last offseason, guaranteeing him $14.12 million in 2024. 

The Steelers currently have a logjam at the receiver position, but no clear No. 2 option next to George Pickens. Pittsburgh notably traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers and released Allen Robinson earlier this offseason. In addition to Pickens, Pittsburgh has Roman Wilson, Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, Scotty Miller and Calvin Austin III all in the mix.

None of those players have the track record and talent of Aiyuk, who would further help transform Pittsburgh’s offense under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.