The Steelers may be getting a second crack at Brandon Aiyuk, and this time the price tag could look nothing like the one Pittsburgh spent the 2024 offseason trying to meet.
According to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, Aiyuk has applied for reinstatement and plans to report to San Francisco’s facility on Friday. That move could speed up his exit from the 49ers after a drawn-out standoff that has kept him away from the field.
For Pittsburgh, the timing is hard to ignore. The Steelers were deep in the mix for Aiyuk before he ultimately stayed in San Francisco, and general manager Omar Khan now might have another path to the receiver without giving up the kind of premium assets that once loomed over the deal.
Aiyuk’s situation has changed sharply since then. The 28-year-old, who was taken by San Francisco with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, hasn’t played since October 2024, when he suffered a significant knee injury against Kansas City.
After that, his relationship with the organization unraveled, and the 49ers placed him on the reserve/left squad list. NFL.com’s Kevin Patra reported on Aiyuk’s reinstatement request, and now the ball is back in San Francisco’s court.
The 49ers can keep him, cut him loose, or try to work out a trade before the November 10 deadline. With earlier signs pointing to a relationship that’s already done, a move away from San Francisco feels more and more likely.
That matters for Pittsburgh because the Steelers’ previous pursuit came with a steep cost attached. This time, the calculus looks different.
DK Metcalf and Germie Bernard already sit at the top of the receiving depth chart, so Aiyuk wouldn’t have to be the lone focal point of the passing game. His route-running and his work in the middle of the field could fit alongside more physical targets.
Still, a cheaper acquisition wouldn’t automatically mean a smart one.
Aiyuk hasn’t played meaningful football in over two years, and his medical situation is still a real question. The damaged relationship in San Francisco is another issue Pittsburgh would have to weigh before bringing him into Mike McCarthy’s locker room.
The Steelers already got the benefit of not paying top dollar when Aiyuk’s value was at its peak. If they circle back now, it only makes sense if the cost reflects everything that has happened since.
Khan shouldn’t hand over premium draft capital or take on an ugly contract simply because Aiyuk was once a major target.
If San Francisco releases him, though, Pittsburgh could look at a lower-risk deal that doesn’t require surrendering picks. That would be a far different conversation than the blockbuster scenario Steelers fans were waiting on in 2024.
For now, the November 10 deadline is the date to watch. It should offer the clearest sign yet on whether Aiyuk is headed for a trade or an outright release, and Pittsburgh can afford to wait without chasing the same price it passed on two years ago.
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