Insider expands on Steelers' trade talks for 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk

During a Wednesday appearance on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan, NFL insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk heavily suggested the Pittsburgh Steelers aren't close to landing San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk in a trade. 

"My understanding is that the Steelers placed a phone call a few weeks ago and were told by the 49ers, 'We're not trading the guy,'" Florio explained, according to Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. 

Aiyuk is in the final year of his rookie contract and may or may not have requested a trade in an attempt to get a new deal this offseason. Meanwhile, the Steelers have repeatedly been linked with Aiyuk after they traded wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers last month. 

"The notion that Aiyuk had requested a trade is not accurate," Florio continued. "The notion that the Steelers had been the most aggressive is not accurate. My understanding is there was maybe a phone call weeks ago and the response was, 'We're not trading the guy.' And that was that."

The Steelers presumably plan to have veteran Russell Wilson compete with Justin Fields for their starting quarterback job this summer, and Pittsburgh acquiring Aiyuk would benefit either signal-caller. 

For a piece published Thursday morning, Austin Mock of The Athletic ranked the Steelers roster 22nd in the NFL ahead of the draft that gets underway next Thursday. 

"The Steelers currently rank 31st and 32nd at offensive tackle and wide receiver, respectively, per my model," Mock noted. "You won’t score many points in the NFL with that level of production at those spots. Neither [Wilson nor Fields] will succeed with the current talent around them." 

Florio added that he expects teams will "re-engage" in trade talks regarding Aiyuk's services soon unless the 26-year-old puts pen to paper on a deal.

"I also believe there's a chance that there's been some conversation along the lines of, not that he's asked for a trade, but looking for teams that might be interested in doing something," Florio said. 

Pittsburgh could pursue a different and cheaper option if the 49ers insist on keeping Aiyuk through the draft. 

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton hasn't yet reported for the club's voluntary offseason program and could soon become a trade piece. Slayton also is in the final year of his deal.