Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers
Could Brandon Aiyuk Be the Game-Changer the Buffalo Bills Need?
The San Francisco 49ers have made a bold move to lock up their star wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, with a four-year, $120 million deal ahead of the 2024 season. However, despite this commitment, there’s still a strong possibility that Aiyuk and the 49ers part ways as soon as the 2025 offseason. Aiyuk’s relationship with the 49ers’ front office has been anything but smooth in recent years, making a potential trade an intriguing possibility.
If the Niners decide to move on from Aiyuk, a number of teams could jump at the opportunity to acquire the dynamic receiver, including one particularly notable team from the AFC East.
Could Aiyuk Be on His Way to Buffalo?
As the Buffalo Bills continue to chase a Super Bowl ring, they’ve come tantalizingly close—most recently losing in a thrilling AFC Championship game to the Kansas City Chiefs, 32-29. Quarterback Josh Allen continues to show why he’s one of the NFL’s elite signal-callers, but his talent has often been undermined by a lack of top-tier weapons around him. A prime example of this was in the playoff loss to the Chiefs, where tight end Dalton Kincaid dropped a potential game-winning pass in a crucial moment.
This is where Brandon Aiyuk could come in.
Pro Football Network’s Kyle Soppe predicts the Bills will trade for Aiyuk, recognizing him as the game-breaking receiver that could put them over the top. “The Buffalo Bills are clearly close to breaking through for an organization that has yet to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, and it’s not every day that a game-breaking receiver entering his prime is available as Brandon Aiyuk appears to be,” Soppe writes. “Yes, I said, ‘game-breaking.’ Aiyuk’s name is often left off the list of the best wide receivers in the game, but that’s disrespectful.”
Aiyuk, 26, has had an up-and-down few seasons with the 49ers. While he had a career-best year in 2023, posting 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and 7 touchdowns, he dealt with injuries in 2024, recording just 25 receptions for 374 yards in only seven appearances. Despite that setback, his potential remains undeniable. Aiyuk is an explosive playmaker who can stretch the field and add another dimension to an offense in need of a true vertical threat.
The Bills’ Need for a Deep Threat
The Bills’ wide receiver corps has faced scrutiny over the last few years, especially after the departure of key players like Cole Beasley and John Brown, who played crucial roles in stretching the field. As a result, Josh Allen’s deep-ball numbers took a hit in 2024. While Allen is still one of the league’s top quarterbacks, his powerful arm hasn’t been fully utilized due to the lack of a reliable deep threat. Instead, Allen often resorted to relying on his legs in critical moments.
This is where Aiyuk could be a game-changer for Buffalo. His ability to get behind defenses and create big plays down the field would open up the entire offense, making life easier for Allen. With Aiyuk on the roster, the Bills could finally unlock Allen’s full potential as a deep-ball passer and give their offense the firepower it needs to dethrone the Chiefs in the postseason.
The Trade that Could Bring Buffalo Over the Top
Aiyuk’s availability, while still uncertain, could be the opportunity the Bills need to elevate their offense to the next level. Pairing him with Stefon Diggs would give Buffalo one of the most potent receiving duos in the league. The 49ers may not be keen on parting with Aiyuk, especially after investing heavily in him, but if they decide to go in a different direction, the Bills should be at the front of the line.
As the 2024 season plays out, all eyes will be on Aiyuk’s future. If the 49ers make him available in a trade, expect the Buffalo Bills to be among the top suitors, ready to make the move that could finally push them past the Chiefs and into the Super Bowl.
