The Atlanta Falcons’ season opener on September 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is fast approaching. Both teams will make significant changes in the next three weeks – but the Steelers’ offense could become significantly more dangerous.
Pittsburgh completed a trade with the San Francisco 49ers to sign receiver Brandon Aiyuk, and the Steelers believe they are in a “good position” to give Aiyuk a new contract, according to NFL Network.
Ultimately, the 49ers have the final say, but if Aiyuk rejects their final contract offer, the reigning All-Pro will make his way to the Steel City.
If the transfer goes through, Aiyuk will play his first game as a Steeler against the Falcons, which would make Atlanta’s already demanding season schedule even more difficult.
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After the Pittsburgh game, the Falcons will play the Philadelphia Eagles on the road on Monday night before facing the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. Atlanta will then host the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night, ending a five-game series that includes matchups against three of last season’s playoff teams.
Aiyuk, 26, caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He has developed into one of the NFL’s most explosive pass catchers, averaging nearly 18 yards per catch in 2023.
Aiyuk would add a new element to the Steelers’ offense, which would otherwise be stacked with veteran players on the Falcons’ defense. Atlanta’s former head coach Arthur Smith is Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator, and several players — running back Cordarrelle Patterson, tight end MyCole Pruitt and receivers Van Jefferson and Scotty Miller — followed him this offseason.
Week 1 is always highly anticipated. For the Falcons, Smith’s reunion creates a new storyline. For the rest of the league, Aiyuk’s debut on a new team is just like that of Russell Wilson – and would make the tasks of Jimmy Lake, the Falcons’ new defensive coordinator, all the more important.
