The post-draft period of NFL free agency is here and the rumors haven’t stopped swirling. Yesterday, it was rumored by former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Bryant McFadden that the team was “very close” to landing a “significant playmaker.” The Steelers were reported to be in the trade market for a wide receiver leading up to and during the NFL Draft. Denver Broncos reporter Ben Allbright provided some names the Steelers have tried to trade for, so far to no avail.
Report: Pittsburgh Steelers Tried to Trade for Star Wide Receivers
With questions flying as to who McFadden was talking about, Allbright posted on X three big names the Steelers have tried to trade for.
They called about Aiyuk and Sutton and have been rebuffed, at least with opening talks. Called about DK, I don't believe a trade would get done there until after june first (if one got done at all).
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) April 30, 2024
According to Allbright, Brandon Aiyuk, Courtland Sutton, and D.K. Metcalf are all players the Steelers have unsuccessfully attempted to acquire via trade. Aiyuk is no surprise, as he was the biggest name on the trade market leading up to the draft and is still highly sought after. So far, it appears the San Francisco 49ers don’t want to trade him, or else they haven’t received any offers they feel are fair. Sutton was another name the Steelers reportedly tried trading for during the draft, but no deal was ultimately agreed to.
While Aiyuk and Sutton have been discussed as potential trade targets for the Steelers, Metcalf was a new name to the conversation. Metcalf is under contract with the Seattle Seahawks through 2025, so he hasn’t been particularly popular in the rumor mill as a player with potential to be traded.
In another post, Allbright stated the Steelers have reached out so six teams and were outright rejected by two of them, which he later said were the 49ers and Broncos for Aiyuk and Sutton, respectively.
I know that the steelers had been calling around to half a dozen teams, and they've been rejected by two teams.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) April 30, 2024
He did not list teams other than the Broncos, 49ers, and Seahawks. However, it remains apparent that the Pittsburgh Steelers are still very active in the trade market as they look to add a second wide receiver opposite George Pickens.
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