The Buffalo Bills have made no secret of their need for help in the receiver room. Ever since Stefon Diggs was moved, the offense has lacked that true No. 1 target who can consistently stretch defenses and give Josh Allen the kind of weapon he needs to go toe-to-toe with the AFC’s elite. And while Allen has proven he can carry a heavy load, even the best quarterbacks need someone who can win on the outside.
That’s where Brandon Aiyuk enters the conversation.
San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch recently hinted that Aiyuk may have played his final snap in a Niners uniform. That’s a significant development.
Aiyuk isn’t just another name on the trade block - he’s coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and has shown he can be a dynamic threat when healthy. His route-running, separation ability, and yards-after-catch skills make him a tough cover, and he’s done it all in a system that doesn’t exactly funnel targets his way.
So, could Aiyuk be the answer in Buffalo?
On paper, it makes a lot of sense. The Bills don’t just need a body at wide receiver - they need a difference-maker.
Aiyuk fits that mold. He can line up outside, win one-on-one matchups, and give Allen the kind of explosive playmaker who can tilt the field.
There are, of course, some off-field considerations with Aiyuk, and any team looking to acquire him will have to do their homework. But from a pure football standpoint, the upside is undeniable. The Bills are in a position where calculated risks are necessary if they want to keep pace in a loaded AFC.
Financially, there’s also a compelling case to be made. If the 49ers were to release Aiyuk outright, they’d be staring down $29.5 million in dead money.
But a trade? That number drops to $8.3 million, and San Francisco would save $6.3 million in the process, according to Over The Cap.
That’s a pretty strong incentive for the Niners to find a trade partner.
For Buffalo, that means the price might not be as steep as you'd expect for a player of Aiyuk’s caliber. A fourth- or fifth-round pick could be enough to get the conversation started - a bargain considering the potential return. Aiyuk wouldn’t just fill a need; he could change the complexion of the Bills’ offense.
This isn’t a slam-dunk move - few are - but it’s one worth exploring. The Bills have a window with Josh Allen in his prime, and adding a proven playmaker like Aiyuk could be the kind of swing that helps them finally break through in the postseason.
If Buffalo wants to take that next step, it might be time to pick up the phone.