Brandon Aiyuk
The Buffalo Bills are in a difficult situation following the trade of superstar Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans, as is well known. Buffalo not only faces a significant financial loss but also requires a new number one wide receiver.
Buffalo might try to use the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft to choose a wide receiver in an attempt to fill the enormous hole. Additionally, the Bills might make a significant trade to get a proven player such as wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers.
Aiyuk’s rookie contract is about to enter its fifth year of option. The 2020 first-round pick will get $14.1 million in compensation in 2024, which is fully guaranteed. Aiyuk is eligible to hit free agency in 2025 if the Niners are unable to reach an agreement with him on a long-term basis or use the franchise tag. Aiyuk’s market value necessitates a four-year $99.8 million contract, according to Spotrac.com.
Getting Aiyuk comes at a premium cost and calls for some major salary cap juggling. But Buffalo may have to move up if San Francisco is prepared to take a second-round pick in exchange.
“Brandon Aiyuk to The Buffalo Bills” would be an incredible and much needed sequel to “DJ Moore to The Chicago Bears,” which was a really good follow up to “Tyreek Hill to The Miami Dolphins and AJ Brown to The Philadelphia Eagles.” pic.twitter.com/2jEy7d2p7r
— TheOGfantasyfootball (@TheOGfantasy) April 14, 2024
“I like Aiyuk, but don’t think his next 4 years will be better than the last 4 with Diggs,” wrote Thad Brown of WROC-TV on Sunday, April 14. The addition of him probably returns the #Bills to the salary cap-constrained cycle they have been attempting to escape this offseason. Would prefer to take a chance with every quality rook in this draft. Well, if Beane can manage to get him for a second, then yeah. Most likely, the value is too good to ignore.
According to The Buffalo News, the Bills paid the Diggs $31 million to end their contract right away, which is the highest amount ever paid to a player other than a quarterback in a single season. The Bills did, however, also clear $18.5 million for 2025, giving them flexibility to think about bringing in Aiyuk.
Aiyuk caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and 7 touchdowns in the previous season. Aiyuk had an overall grade of 91.5 from Pro Football Focus, which placed him as the second-best receiver in the league. 86 catchable targets and only 2 drops were recorded by him.
49ers star Brandon Aiyuk Is “Frustrated” About His Contract Predicament
The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov wrote on Sunday that even though Aiyuk hasn’t made an official trade request, he “could still get traded.”
“General Manager John Lynch of the 49ers has stated that they intend to retain him for the long run. Aiyuk has made insinuations that he should be compensated as a top receiver and that he is becoming irritated. To fix all of this, they would need to close a rift, but as of right now, Aiyuk hasn’t informed the 49ers that he wants to go. That is the current situation.
Earlier in the week, Aiyuk unfollowed the 49ers on Instagram, which fueled trade rumors. During his appearance on the “The Night Cap” podcast last month, Aiyuk also made it clear that he is not accepting a lower agreement.
Aiyuk declared, “I’m attempting to obtain what I deserve.” “I think that during this football season, I came to terms with my identity as a player and a person, as well as what I bring to the field, the locker room, and the company. Additionally, the value I possess when I enter that building.
What Would the Bills Give Up to Take Stefon Diggs’ Place?
General manager of the Bills Brandon Beane is aware that he must locate a new X-receiver for quarterback Josh Allen. Top receivers for the team are Mack Hollins, tight end Dalton Kincaid, Khalil Shakir, and Curtis Samuel.
“Are we more improved now? After moving Diggs, Beane told reporters, “Probably not.” We’ll keep working on it because it’s a work in progress. I would like everyone to know that I’m fiercely competitive and that I won’t back down. We’re going to investigate further and work through this. I have faith in both the individuals who play for us and the staff that supports me.
In order to move up the draft board and get a top receiver such as Rome Odunze, Malik Nabers, or Marvin Harrison Jr., several observers are urging Beane to make a blockbuster trade. It’s difficult to see Beane taking such a large chance on an unproven player, though, unless the Bills have complete faith in one of those individuals. Even though it’s a less thrilling move, if Beane sticks with it, there is a ton of quality available at No. 28.
