Up until a few days ago, Brandon Aiyuk’s deal was in limbo. Now, it’s as if nothing happened between the two. However, there’s an untold story that wasn’t told until now. At some point, the Steelers were ready to offer everything they could to get their hands on Aiyuk, but it required the intervention of a third party, and that third party was Sean Payton’s Broncos.

It’s simple to understand. The Steelers wanted Brandon Aiyuk, and in return, the 49ers wanted a receiver of the same caliber. The Bay Area team ran out of options and the rest of the story was perfectly put together by Dianna Russini of The Athletic on X. So what player were the Niners so interested in?

Sean Payton could have fallen into the Brandon Aiyuk trap

Russini’s post on X said, “The 49ers only were willing to trade Brandon Aiyuk if they could get a top-flight WR to replace him. They offered a third-round pick to Denver for Courtland Sutton, and then would’ve dealt Aiyuk to the Steelers, but the Broncos declined the offer. So, he stays in SF.” It would be difficult for the Broncos to give out Sutton and they have their reasons. This tweet came after Brandon Aiyuk signed a 4-year $120 million extension with the Niners. The agreement ensures that Aiyuk gets $76 million in guarantees.

Courtland Sutton is the only veteran receiver in the Broncos’ arsenal besides Josh Reynolds. Other receivers like Troy Franklin and Devaugh Vele are rookies and Marvin Mims Jr. also doesn’t have the same experience as Brandon Aiyuk or Courtland Sutton. Out of all these receivers, Sutton seems to be the most reliable one.

Sutton played 16 games last year and amassed 772 yards and 10 touchdowns. There was no way that Sean Payton was going to let him leave, especially now that he has the QB of his liking, Bo Nix. We’ve seen the connection between Nix and Sutton on the field, though he didn’t score a touchdown.

Videos from practice also show how valuable Sutton is to Nix and Sean Payton. Perhaps, that’s why the receiver is so important to the head coach.

Courtland Sutton is the right man for the job

The Broncos had an abysmal start to their season last year but still managed to finish it with an 8-9 record. Sutton had career-high touchdowns (10) under Russell Wilson, but Sean Payton had to let him go because of the complications with his game and the huge $37 million injury clause that he refused to let go of, which is his right.

Though Russell Wilson doesn’t with the kind of offense Sean Payton wants to run, Courtland Sutton sure passes the criteria with flying colors. About two months ago, he spoke to Troy Renck of the Denver Post and expressed appreciation for the Denver Broncos’ standout receiver.

“He’s important to what we’re doing,” Payton said. “He didn’t have to visit with the media. I told him, ‘It’s up to you if you want to do it.’ And so, to his credit, he did. I would say he’s important, and I think he knows that.”

Sean Payton sees flashes of Drew Brees in Bo Nix, and to make his vision a reality, he needs a reliable receiver on the team. That he’s got in Sutton. Do you agree? Let us know in the comments.