To revisit WR Brandon Aiyuk and the summer of 2024 for hopefully the last time, the San Francisco 49ers had a big ask if a deal with Aiyuk was going to get done. Per reporter David Lombardi, the 49ers wanted WR George Pickens in return for Aiyuk during some portion of the months-long trade negotiations between the two sides.
“49ers wanted Pickens in return for Brandon Aiyuk during those 2024 trade discussions with Pittsburgh,” Lombardi tweeted Thursday morning. “Unfortunately for SF, Steelers weren’t willing to move Pickens until May 2025 when they made the deal with Dallas. By that point the ink on Aiyuk’s deal had already dried.”
49ers wanted Pickens in return for Brandon Aiyuk during those 2024 trade discussions with Pittsburgh. Unfortunately for SF, Steelers weren’t willing to move Pickens until May 2025 when they made the deal with Dallas. By that point the ink on Aiyuk’s deal had already dried https://t.co/b1rxEU7sK6
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) December 4, 2025
It’s the first reporting of San Francisco targeting Pickens, but it aligns with the general trend of discussions during that time. The 49ers were determined to get back a receiver in any deal that sent Aiyuk out the door. San Francisco went as far as to nearly pull off a three-team trade that would’ve sent Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton to 49ers, Aiyuk to the Steelers, and multiple draft picks to the Broncos.
Even knowing the headache Pickens can be, it’s no surprise that was a non-starter for Pittsburgh. Bringing in Aiyuk just to swap out Pickens wouldn’t have strengthened the Steelers’ passing game enough. Pittsburgh has felt that by struggling to replace Pickens after trading him this year and even after sending Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers last offseason.
In 2024, the Steelers still seemingly hadn’t given up on Pickens and had hopes he would mature enough to be a long-term fit in Pittsburgh. But his problems only mounted, and the Steelers were ready to deal him a year ahead of free agency. In May, Pittsburgh sent him to Dallas for a third-round pick. The two sides also exchanged future Day 3 selections.
Aiyuk ultimately signed a long-term extension to stay in San Francisco. He tore his ACL midway through the season and hasn’t played since. The 49ers aren’t even sure he’ll return this season while reporting suggests the two sides will divorce after the year. The 49ers could try to shop Aiyuk again. If so, Pittsburgh will likely again be rumored as a team that makes sense. But older with a large contract and coming off a severe knee injury, the Steelers’ interest may be significantly different this time around.
Pickens is having a strong season in Dallas, but his demons have followed him south. After a poor game last night, Pickens is feeling the heat after former players like CB Richard Sherman questioned his effort. In a now-deleted social media post, Pickens called out Sherman for his comments.