Buffalo Bills are clearly struggling after dealing superstar Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. In addition to the significant financial impact, Buffalo requires a new No. 1 wide receiver.
Buffalo may attempt to fill the big vacuum by picking a wide receiver in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Bills might also make a large trade to get a proven talent such as San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk is beginning the fifth year of his rookie contract. The 2020 first-round pick will earn a fully guaranteed salary of $14.1 million in 2024. If the Niners cannot reach an agreement with Aiyuk or use the franchise tag, he will become a free agent in 2025. According to Spotrac.com, Aiyuk’s market value requires a four-year contract of $99.8 million.
The cost of acquiring Aiyuk is high and necessitates careful wage cap management. However, if San Francisco is ready to accept a second-round pick in a deal, Buffalo may have to take advantage.
WROC-TV’s Thad Brown wrote on Sunday, April 14, “I like Aiyuk, but I don’t think his next four years will be as good as his last four with Diggs. Adding him likely puts the #Bills back on the same salary cap-constrained conveyor belt they’ve been attempting to escape this offseason. Would rather take a chance with all of the good rooks in this draft. If Beane can secure him for a second time, he will undoubtedly be successful. That value is probably too wonderful to pass up.”
According to The Buffalo News, the Bills spent $31 million to quickly part ways with Diggs, the most ever paid for a player other than a quarterback in a single season. However, the Bills have cleared $18.5 million for 2025, giving the organization room to consider signing Aiyuk.
Last season, Aiyuk has 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. Aiyuk had a 91.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking him as the league’s second-best receiver. He had only two drops on 86 catchable targets.
49ers Star Brandon Aiyuk Is ‘Frustrated’ With His Contract Situation
Brandon Aiyuk could still get traded; this does not mean he won’t. #49ers GM John Lynch has made it clear they want to keep him long-term. Aiyuk has implied he deserves to get paid as a top receiver and has hinted he’s getting frustrated.
There’s a gap they’d have to bridge for… https://t.co/RbZEfODAPL
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 14, 2024
Aiyuk has not publicly sought a move, but he “could still get traded,” according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team.
“John Lynch, the 49ers’ general manager, has made it obvious that they want to keep him long-term. Aiyuk has intimated that he ought to be paid as a top receiver and has expressed frustration. There is a gap that needs to be bridged in order for this to be resolved, but as of today, Aiyuk has not informed the 49ers that he wants to go. That is where things stand.
Earlier this week, Aiyuk contributed to the trade rumors by unfollowing the 49ers on Instagram. During his appearance on “The Night Cap” podcast last month, Aiyuk also stated that he will not accept a cheaper agreement.
“I’m trying to get what I deserve,” Aiyuk stated. “I feel like this season, this football season, I figured out who I am as a person and a player, what I contribute to the table, the locker room, and the company. And just the value I feel when I step into the facility.
