Did trading WR Diontae Johnson ultimately cost the Steelers Brandon Aiyuk?
The Brandon Aiyuk saga finally ended last night when he agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension to remain with the San Francisco 49ers. While certain individuals are now comfortable taking a victory lap acting as though this was always the inevitable outcome, the true is likely far from that. The 49ers and Aiyuk explored numerous variables and contingencies, but ultimately none panned out. The Pittsburgh Steelers came closest to meeting the criteria for both the 49ers and Aiyuk—and they may have been able to seal the deal if not for trading away Diontae Johnson.