Top trade destination for Brandon Aiyuk is now reportedly out of the running

The Steelers were reportedly close to making a deal for Brandon Aiyuk, but recent reports suggest the 49ers won't be making a deal there.

The last 24 hours have certainly been a whirlwind for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers.

Just days ago, nearly all indications were the Niners were going to retain their leading receiver from the last two seasons, either convincing him to play on the final year of his current contract or by signing him to an agreeable extension by the time training camp ended.

However, on Monday, a swirl of rumors and reports surfaced that pointed at Aiyuk being imminently dealt.

One in particular, from Cam Marino of NFL Draft Buzz, highlighted the Pittsburgh Steelers as the final destination, the only thing needing to happen being the official news breaking.

Usually, within minutes of such a report, well-known NFL insiders would jump on the report, including the likes of NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter. But no credible corroborations took place.

But that didn't close out the possibility of Aiyuk being on the move within the near future.

Citing a source, NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco reported both the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots both had "negotiated the framework of trades" with San Francisco for Aiyuk. And the 49ers had also granted Aiyuk's camp permission to seek a trade.

Interestingly enough, though, Pittsburgh was not mentioned in the report.

Steelers appear to be out of the running for Brandon Aiyuk

Another report from ESPN's Mike Reiss reinforced both the Pats and Browns as possible trade partners for Aiyuk, but it's what the insider said about the Steelers that's interesting.

Reiss wrote on Tuesday:

"The Pittsburgh Steelers also were interested but do not appear to be a potential trade destination any longer, according to sources."

It's unclear just how much truth there is to this report, but it's possible Pittsburgh didn't have enough likable assets to convince the 49ers to execute a deal. While Aiyuk would have to approve a trade by agreeing to a contract extension, the matter is complicated by the fact the Niners would have to sign off on it, too, by getting the compensation they'd like.

For a team ready to win a Super Bowl now, such a deal would likely have to include player compensation going back to San Francisco.

Perhaps the Steelers were willing to offer solid compensation by the way of draft picks but not players. Or, potentially, the 49ers used reported offers from both Cleveland and New England in an attempt to get Pittsburgh to up its offer, but the Steelers ultimately decided to bow out at the last moment.

And it's still very possible neither the Browns or Patriots finalize such a deal, and Aiyuk has no other choice but (or ultimately decides) to remain with the Niners, either accepting an extension that's less than what he originally desired or by merely playing out the final remaining year on his contract.

Update: NFL Network has recently reported the Steelers are still involved in Aiyuk trade discussions, muddying the waters within already turbulent reports.

Read more from Niner Noise