"I don't think he'll be available for next to nothing, but sure, if he is, why not," Kinkhabwala said. "I mean, why wouldn't you?"
Kinkhabwala also addressed the relationship between Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers organization, which has become one of the more dramatic storylines of the offseason following an active arrest warrant for a speeding incident, voided guaranteed money, and a social media post in which Aiyuk called the 49ers stupid and predicted he would be on a new team in 2026.
ESPN reporter Nick Wagoner on Brandon Aiyuk via John Keim Report:
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) June 11, 2026
• “I think the 49ers right now are probably ready to move on from [Aiyuk]…”
• “Brandon Aiyuk only wants to play for Washington”
• “It’s very clear there is not going to be a trade partner. That has been… pic.twitter.com/Ft72CcvPEn
Why Pittsburgh Analysts Are Skeptical
Behind the Steel Curtain's Mike Nicastro had a different take on the situation: a trade to Pittsburgh appears very unlikely given how the Steelers' receiver room has been constructed this offseason.
Pittsburgh acquired Michael Pittman Jr. from Indianapolis and spent a second-round pick on Alabama receiver Germie Bernard to pair with DK Metcalf.
That existing investment makes the organizational appetite for absorbing Aiyuk's complicated situation minimal, particularly given the injury history that has followed him since signing his four-year, $120 million extension.
Powerful: Jarvis Landry says he is extremely concerned for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 15, 2026
“It’s not the same Brandon that I know. It’s not the same player, not the same man that I respected for how he played the game. Teammates call this guy and Brandon, if you’re watching this show,… pic.twitter.com/cufPCw0l0q
Aiyuk tore his ACL and MCL in 2024, played seven games, opened 2025 on the PUP list, and never played another NFL snap before the 49ers voided his guaranteed money and an arrest warrant was issued in June.
Head coach Mike McCarthy's organizational standards have been raised as a concern by Pittsburgh analysts, with one piece noting his documented discomfort with players who bring off-field noise into the building.
Aiyuk has generated significant off-field noise.
The Steelers' roster is better at wide receiver than it has been in years. Unless the price is essentially free, this trade does not make organizational sense for Pittsburgh right now.
Photo Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
