Steelers Could Focus On A Trade For An All-Pro Not Named Brandon Aiyuk

The Pittsburgh Steelers need to do something at the wide receiver position. Relying on a rookie to come in and make an immediate impact is not a safe move for the 2024 season. Since trading away Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh has signed Van Jefferson, along with Quez Watkins - and neither should be considered a top option at receiver. The Steelers and General Manager Omar Khan have a few options they could trade for, including Brandon Aiyuk, along with some names that haven't come up yet in the 2024 offseason. 

Pittsburgh has been one of the only teams consistently paired with the San Francisco 49ers on a possible trade for Aiyuk, who is unhappy with his current contract and is seeking an extension. A trade for Aiyuk could definitely happen, but the Steelers would need to give up significant draft capital and commit a large portion of their salary cap for the next few seasons to Aiyuk. Cheaper options are out there, and Mark Kaboly joined 93.7 The Fan to discuss the possibility of trading for Aiyuk, and brought up a new name for Pittsburgh to consider trading for. 

"I would say probably not. How about, let's throw Chris Godwin in there, how about that one? I'm just speculating because they [Tampa Bay Buccaneers] have a lot of money tied up in Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans, that's how a lot of things go nowadays. I'm not pretending like I'm breaking news or hearing anything. People put one and one together and say, 'Steelers need a receiver, oh look at this, this guy is in the final year of his deal, getting paid $27 million, put $20 million against the cap for the Buccaneers,' why not do that?"

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers recently committed a total of $141 million between Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans, so it is not completely out of the realm of possibility to see them look to trade Godwin ahead of the last year of his contract. If they do deal him, they at least get some draft capital in return instead of getting nothing when they can't afford to bring him back after the 2024 season and he leaves to join a new team. 

Godwin seemed to have a quiet year in 2023, however he record 83 receptions for over 1,000 yards along with two touchdowns. He is just 28 years old and was an All-Pro in 2019, so he has some good years left before his play may start to decline. He has made a living catching passes over the middle of the field throughout his NFL career, so he would be a good complement to George Pickens that the Steelers should try to pursue. 

Steelers Could Pluck A Receiver From A Rival

Kaboly had another reliable option for the Steelers to pursue to help bolster the wide receiver room and bring Pickens some help, Brandin Cooks. Cooks has bounced around a lot in his NFL career, but it isn't for a lack of production. He has been successful pretty much every where he has been, as he has had six 1,000 yard seasons in his 10-year career. 

"How about Brandin Cooks out of Dallas too? He's a guy that's a free agent next year, they might be willing to move on. Once again, I'm just spit balling at various potential guys out there, but that's a position to me. I know center is number one, they have to address that, they just have to, but not far behind that is that number two receiver."

Cooks was overshadowed with the Dallas Cowboys due to the success of CeeDee Lamb during the 2023 season, but he was still able to haul in eight touchdowns and record 657 yards. Cooks has been nothing but consistent since entering the league in 2014. He would certainly gel with a veteran like Russell Wilson throwing him the ball, and he could be a good veteran presence in the receiver room for Pickens to lean on. 

Would you want to see the Steelers trade for either Godwin or Cooks?