The idea of the San Francisco 49ers trading star receiver Brandon Aiyuk to the Buffalo Bills is a bold one, but it comes with some significant gaps in the argument. Pro Football Network (PFN) presents the case from the Bills’ perspective, and while their point is clear, there are key aspects left unaddressed.
The Bills’ offense was one of the best in the league last season, averaging 30.9 points per game. However, they didn’t have a true No. 1 receiver. Khalil Shakir stepped up with 821 yards and four touchdowns, rookie Keon Coleman is still a work in progress, and the Amari Cooper trade didn’t pan out as hoped
PFN suggests that Aiyuk, entering his prime, could be the piece that takes Buffalo’s offense to the next level, especially with the Bills having struggled to stretch the field at times—something that hurt them in playoff losses to the Chiefs, where quarterback Josh Allen was just 3-of-17 on deep passes in those games.
While this reasoning makes sense, the situation for the 49ers isn’t as straightforward. Aiyuk is coming off a torn ACL and MCL, and there’s uncertainty about whether he’ll be ready to start the season at full strength. This raises questions about his trade value, and PFN doesn’t even mention what the 49ers would get in return for Aiyuk—leaving a major hole in their argument. Without knowing what the trade compensation would be, it’s hard to assess the validity of the proposed move.
Additionally, there’s a financial side to consider. Aiyuk signed a new four-year deal last season, and in 2025, he carries a dead cap hit of $39.2 million. Trading him would leave the 49ers with a significant financial deficit, and PFN doesn’t address how that might impact the team’s decision.
In the end, while it’s a good idea for the Bills to pursue help at receiver, it’s harder to see why the 49ers would part with Aiyuk without fully knowing his recovery status and what they would get in return. It’s a risky proposition for San Francisco, especially with a hefty financial burden attached.
