Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors: Bills GM Brandon Beane clears the air on WR trade buzz post NFL Draft
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane has flatly denied rumors of the team trading for any wide receiver amid rumors that San Francisco 49ers star Brandon could come to Buffalo.
After Beane traded the Bills out of the first round of the 2024 NFL draft and Aiyuk's situation at the 49ers came under open speculation after they drafted wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the first round, NFL fans started putting the scenarios together. Rumors arose that the Bills decided to give up their first-round pick first to the Kansas City Chiefs and then the Carolina Panthers, both of whom drafted wide receivers, because they wanted to trade for Aiyuk.
However, Beane said that it is unlikely that Brandon Aiyuk or any other receiver will join them in New York because of salary cap constraints.
He said:
"The cap is the cap. There's no trade coming. I know everyone wants to link us to every trade in the league."
Brandon Beane's first pick for the Bills in the 2024 NFL Draft underlies their wide receiver strategy
The reason for Brandon Beane trading back seems to have less to do with Brandon Aiyuk than the Bills being locked onto Keon Coleman as their first choice for wide receiver. Once they figured that neither the Kansas City Chiefs nor the Carolina Panthers, who chose Xavier Worthy and Xavier Legette respectively, wanted him, they were willing to trade back and build some more draft capital.
Josh Allen even reportedly texted Keon Coleman saying that he is the wide receiver he wants to play with and the rookie wanted the same. The synergy was there and Brandon Beane made it happen when he realized that no other team was coming for their selection.
What next for Brandon Aiyuk and the 49ers?
Brandon Aiyuk should prefer to get a new contract with the San Francisco 49ers. The franchise is one of the favorites for the Super Bowl and he will stick in a system that he knows with a young proven franchise quarterback in place. But if he does go, some teams will be interested. Despite multiple wide receivers being taken in the draft, there is nothing like a proven commodity.
The New England Patriots and the Washington Commanders have the most salary cap space, but are starting life with rookie quarterbacks they drafted. A veteran presence like Aiyuk would make their lives much easier.