The Pittsburgh Steelers put all their eggs in the Brandon Aiyuk basket this offseason as they looked to improve one of their biggest weaknesses during the 2024 offseason. Unfortunately, they fell short and Aiyuk stayed with the San Francisco 49ers, leaving Pittsburgh without the upgrade it needed.
But could the Steelers and 49ers strike up talks once again at the trade deadline, for a different receiver? Liam Walters of TWSN thinks it could happen.
Walters predicts the Steelers will acquire Jauan Jennings in a trade with the 49ers at the trade deadline in exchange for a fifth-round pick. He argues that with Deebo Samuel and Aiyuk under contract, and with the eventual return of Ricky Pearsall, the Niners could be open to moving the 27-year-old, who is under contract through 2025.
“When it comes to the 49ers, they will get first round pick Ricky Pearsall involved sooner than later after he was shot in a robbery before the season started,” Walter wrote. “Jauan Jennings would ultimately be the fourth string wide receiver on that team that wouldn’t get as many reps as he should. So getting a fifth-round pick would be perfect for them for someone they were going to let walk in free agency later down the line.”
Jennings has been a solid backup option for the Niners and is coming off the best showing of his career in Week 3, when he tallied 11 receptions for 175 yards and three touchdowns against the Los Angeles Rams with Samuel and George Kittle sidelined.
Jennings has never stepped into a full-time starting role, but clearly he has the ability to do so after what we saw last week. Pittsburgh should definitely be interested in him as a No. 2 if he becomes available.
That said, the Niners are competing for a Super Bowl and may not be willing to part with Jennings this season.
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