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Brandon Aiyuk Declined Steelers Trade

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Brandon Aiyuk Declined Steelers Trade


PITTSBURGH — The hottest rumor regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers all offseason was their pursuit of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. They reportedly agreed on a deal during the 2024 NFL Draft, but nothing materialized. Months later, the Steelers continued trying. But after months of effort, the hunt for Aiyuk officially ended when he signed a four-year, $120 million contract to remain with the San Francisco 49ers.

But according to NFL insider Jay Glazer, the Steelers were moments away from acquiring the receiver in a trade. With the 49ers and Aiyuk in a contract stalemate, the team reportedly decided to trade their star pass-catcher to Pittsburgh. Speaking on Fox Sports: NFL, Glazer gave his inside scoop.

“The day it (the contract extension) got done, the 49ers were trading him to the Pittsburgh Steelers,” he said. “And then all of a sudden Brandon Aiyuk happened to show up early to the facility that day.”

According to Glazer, Aiyuk arrived at the team’s facilities to speak to his head coach Kyle Shanahan. After speaking with him, Shanahan tried to reach the team’s front office, who were in the middle of finalizing a deal that would send Aiyuk to the Steelers. The 49ers reportedly put the trade talks on hold once more and gave their receiver a final ultimatum.

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“We’re either trading you to Pittsburgh today, or you can take the deal that’s on the table. It’s up to you but you have ’til the end of practice,” they told Aiyuk.

Ultimately, Aiyuk committed to San Francisco and remaining with the 49ers. He signed a huge deal, earning himself an annual salary of $30 million.

Aiyuk has steadily improved since arriving in the NFL and posted his best statistical season in 2023. He hauled in 75 receptions for an astounding 1,342 receiving yards and seven touchdowns while becoming QB Brock Purdy’s favorite target. The year prior he had 78 receptions for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns. Over four seasons and 62 games played, he’s amassed 269 receptions for 3,931 yards

Aiyuk was originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers 25th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Coming out of Arizona State University, the book on him was straightforward: get him the ball and he would make something happen. At 26 years old, he’s made good on the scouting report, establishing himself as a top playmaking receiver in the league.

Make sure you bookmark Steelers OnSI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more

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Pittsburg, PA

Key details revealed for Pittsburgh Steelers QB decision vs. Falcons

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Key details revealed for Pittsburgh Steelers QB decision vs. Falcons


ATLANTA — Just a few hours out from their game with the Atlanta Falcons, and the Pittsburgh Steelers do not know who their quarterback will be for sure. While a lot of signs point to Justin Fields getting the start, the Steelers have not locked that in, as Russell Wilson continues to push for himself to play.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Saturday night that Wilson has told the Steelers coaching staff and trainers that he can play, but Pittsburgh’s training staff remain at odds with playing Wilson. Wilson aggravated his calf injury from training camp on Thursday, and if he hurts it worse, the absence could go from short-term to lengthy very quickly.

Either way, Wilson did travel with the team. Meanwhile, Fields is preparing like the starter. The Steelers and Wilson have started conducting around-the-clock treatments on his calf to get him ready in case he can play. They even put him through a workout on Saturday to see where he is at in his game.

The ultimate decision for the Steelers will be revealed when Wilson takes the field for a pregame warmup in the morning. Inactives for the Steelers will be due at 11:30 a.m., or just 90 minutes before the game, so the Steelers can work Wilson out before the game to fully see where he is at.

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However, minimizing risk for the Steelers in this situation seems a key part of the process. Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Thursday, when Wilson complained of the tightness, that there was no long-term worry but that the team needed to be overly cautious with the injury. Holding him out for a week with a more than-capable backup in Fields seems like the right move for the Steelers so Wilson does not miss extended time in case he aggravates the injury even more.

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Pirates Blow Late Lead, Get Swept by Nationals in Doubleheader

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Pirates Blow Late Lead, Get Swept by Nationals in Doubleheader


It wasn’t the best day to play two for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.

Pittsburgh was swept in their doubleheader against the Washington Nationals, dropping the first game 5-3 and blowing a two-run lead in the ninth inning en route to an 8-6 loss in the night-cap.

in the second game, the Pirates jumped out to a 3-0 lead before Washington clawed back to make it 4-4 heading into the eighth inning. Isiah Kiner-Falefa gave Pittsburgh the lead with an RBI single and added an insurance run on a fielder’s choice on a groundball to second base. Aroldis Chapman came on for a save and had the Nationals down to their final out with Drew Millas on second base.

Then things unraveled for the Pirates and Chapman.

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A James Wood single trimmed the lead to one and he advanced to second base on a single from Andrés Chaparro. A pinch-hit two-run double from Illdemaro Vargas that hit off of Connor Joe’s glove gave Washington the lead 7-6 and it tacked on one more run on another double from Keibert Ruiz.

Chaparro and Ruiz each went 3-for-5. Chaparro hit a home run and drove in three runs, while Ruiz hit two doubles.

Colin Holderman came into the game and escaped the jam, but the damage had already been done. Pittsburgh went down in order against Kyle Finnegan to end the game. The save was Finnegan’s 36th of the season.

The loss was Chapman’s fifth of the season, dropping him to 5-5. Chapman is 6 of 11 in save opportunities this season. Mitch Keller pitched six innings, allowed seven hits, two runs and struck out eight batters.

Kiner-Falefa, Oneil Cruz and Jared Triolo each had multi-hit games for the Pirates.

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In the first game of the doubleheader, Pittsburgh struggled to muster any offense, as it didn’t get its first hit until the seventh inning on a Nick Gonzales and he scored on a two-run home run from Rowdy Tellez. Pittsburgh loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Finnegan got Bryan De la Cruz to ground into a double play to end the game.

Luis Ortiz took the loss, dropping to 6-5 on the season after allowing six hits and four runs (three earned). Nationals left-hander DJ Herz earned the win after pitching five no-hit innings and struck out three batters.

Pittsburgh will look to split the series on Sunday when they face the Nationals at 1:35 p.m. ET. Jared Jones will get the start for the Pirates, while Patrick Corbin will toe the slab for Washington.

Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates



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Pitt roars back from 21-point deficit for 28-27 win over Cincinnati and 2-0 start

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Pitt roars back from 21-point deficit for 28-27 win over Cincinnati and 2-0 start



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Eli Holstein threw touchdown passes on consecutive drives, Ben Saul kicked a 35-yard field goal with 17 seconds left and Pittsburgh rallied from 21 points down to take a 28-27 win over Cincinnati on Saturday.

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Through three quarters, it looked like the Bearcats (1-1) were going to run the Panthers (2-0) out of Nippert Stadium. They dominated Pitt on both sides of the ball and led 27-6.

Pittsburgh faced a third-and-4 deep in their own territory on the game-winning drive, but a delay of game on the Bearcats defense gave the Panthers a first down. A 34-yard completion to wide receiver Konata Mumpfield three plays later moved the Panthers into the red zone and in position for Saul’s winning field goal.

Cincinnati got off to a fast start and led 14-3 after the first quarter. but penalties and special teams mistakes hurt them the remainder of the game.

UP NEXT

Pitt: Hosts West Virginia next Saturday.

Cincinnati: At Miami (Ohio) next Saturday.

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