Bills Get Definitive Answer on 7,400-Yard WR Trade Target
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Even Josh Allen is slipping in the power rankings after two consecutive losses. So, where do the Buffalo Bills and Allen stand?
The Buffalo Bills are expected to seek some help in their wide receiving corps ahead of the upcoming NFL trade deadline, but one home run target may now be out of the question.
The Bills have been connected to every top receiver on the market, and none have been bigger than Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown. The veteran pass-catcher has hinted at discontentment with the team and how he’s being utilized, leading to trade speculation, but a new report is putting the rumors to rest.
Eagles Plan to Keep A.J. Brown
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Saturday that the Eagles are willing to entertain offers for Brown, but would only part with him if it were a “blockbuster.” As Schefter noted, that level of offer “is not expected to be forthcoming.”
“The Philadelphia Eagles are not expected to trade star wide receiver A.J. Brown before the NFL’s Nov. 4 deadline, sources told ESPN,” Schefter wrote. “Teams still are eyeing Brown as the deadline approaches, according to sources, but the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles are not looking to move the three-time Pro Bowler.”
Brown would be one of the most accomplished receivers on the market, with 475 career receptions for 7,421 yards and 52 touchdowns. Several analysts predicted he would be a good fit for the Bills, giving quarterback Josh Allen the true No. 1 receiver the team has been lacking since trading Stefon Diggs prior to the 2024 season.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay suggested the Bills could land Brown for a 2026 second-round draft pick and a 2027 conditional third-round draft pick — well below the blockbuster that Schefter reported the Eagles were seeking.
“The Buffalo Bills make for an intriguing landing spot,” Kay wrote. “They boast the same 4-1 record as Philadelphia and have an MVP quarterback in Josh Allen leading their offense, but the team still lacks a true No. 1 wideout who can take the passing game to another level.
“If the Bills are willing to kick over an early Day 2 pick and a conditional 2027 pick to sweeten the pot, it may just be enough to get the Eagles to consider moving on from the pass-catcher.”
Bills May Have Lost Another Target
The Bills could have another trade target off the table in addition to Brown. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that the New Orleans Saints are planning to hold onto receiver Chris Olave, with designs to lock him down for the long term.
“Barring an unforeseen change, the Saints are not expected to move WR Chris Olave despite interested suitors. Last week, I reported that the two sides are discussing an extension,” Russini reported on Saturday.”
The Bills were seen as a good fit for Olave, but could also seek another Saints receiver — Rashid Shaheed. He has also been seen as potential trade bait and could offer help both in the receiving and return games for the Bills. Buffalo has struggled to land on a kick returner, going through several options after benching Brandon Codrington.
The Bills could also turn to other positions, with Russini reporting that they are also looking for help at safety after losing Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin to injuries.
New 49er has dramatically exceeded Kyle Shanahan's expectations
The San Francisco 49ers entered the season with a questionable situation at kicker, with Jake Moody as their lone option on the roster coming off of a season where he made just 70.6% of his field goals and 97% of his extra points.
While Moody held off veteran kicker Greg Joseph over the offseason, there didn't seem to be much faith in the 25-year-old in Week 1, and when he missed two of his three attempts in that season opener, the 49ers were quick to make a change.
Between Weeks 1 and 2, the 49ers moved on from Moody and signed Eddy Pineiro off the street, and it's been a legitimate game-changer for San Francisco, as Pineiro has made all of 17 field goals so far this season, including five from 50+ yards out.
On Thursday, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked if he saw things working out this well with Pineiro when they made the decision to sign him after the season had started.
“Probably not,” Shanahan said. “He hasn’t missed one yet except for his first extra point. So, I wouldn’t count that. He said he hit every field goal except for one extra point. That definitely gives me a lot of confidence. My confidence is always based off my life experiences with someone and my life experience has been pretty damn good with him so far. So, he’s doing a hell of a job.”
Pineiro's 17 made field goals in a row is the most for any kicker to start their 49ers tenure. He's also the third-most-accurate kicker in NFL history, making 89.51% of his kicks in his six years in the league The only two who are more accurate are the Los Angeles Chargers' Cameron Dicker (93.97%) and the Dallas Cowboys' Brandon Aubrey (91%).
