The 49ers view Aiyuk as immature and want to bring him down a notch, while the Steelers are looking to uplift him, setting him as the example for their team’s culture.

It’s understandable why Brandon Aiyuk is frustrated with the 49ers, but it’s less clear why he would prefer to join the Steelers. Aiyuk feels disrespected by the 49ers, as they treat him like the team’s younger sibling. He’s not considered a captain, doesn’t receive the same level of respect as Christian McCaffrey, Gge Kittleore, and Deebo Samuel, and the team is unwilling to offer him a $28 million per year contract extension, sticking at $26 million instead, which is below his market value.

The 49ers believe Aiyuk is immature and want to humble him, while the Steelers, on the other hand, are keen to elevate him, positioning him as a leader and culture setter for their team. Their current top wide receiver, George Pickens, isn’t known for his blocking, while Aiyuk is one of the best blocking wide receivers in the NFL, making him an ideal role model for the Steelers’ offense.

Furthermore, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin contrasts sharply with 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. Tomlin is a true player’s coach who would make Aiyuk feel valued and important, whereas Shanahan is known for playing favorites, and it’s evident that Aiyuk is not among them. Shanahan’s clear favorite is Deebo Samuel, with whom he shares a close relationship, resulting in Samuel receiving preferential treatment, privileges, and more targets in crucial games that Aiyuk doesn’t get.

It’s not that the Steelers are offering significantly more money or that their offense is superior to the 49ers’. The main draw is that they can provide Aiyuk with the respect that the 49ers have failed to offer him.