Bills, 49ers have new deadline target after disgruntled defender requests trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers could jockey against one another for a linebacker trade ahead of the Nov. 4 deadline.
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The 49ers’ need is obvious, as the team won’t have superstar linebacker Fred Warner for the remainder of the season due to a dislocated and broken ankle.
Meanwhile, the Bills are dealing with injuries at the position, with Matt Milano in and out of the lineup this season and Terrel Bernard also banged-up.
As the linebacker market takes shape, there is a new name for the Niners and Bills to consider and it comes in the form of Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson, who has reportedly requested a trade.
“Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson has requested a trade, a source told ESPN on Thursday,” Bengals reporter Ben Baby wrote.
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As Baby goes on to point out, the reason behind Wilson’s request has to do with the fact that his role has diminished significantly.
Wilson has been a full-time starter since 2021, but he has played just 38 snaps the past two weeks. Compare that to the first five games of this campaign, when he played 62 or more in four of those contests.
“The reason I was given was they wanted a spark on defense,” Wilson said of being benched, according to Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19. “I don’t know exactly what (spark) means. When I asked if there was anything I could do to improve and be better, I wasn’t really given a great reason. That’s the hardest part.”
It would appear Wilson, who was once a pivotal member of the Bengals’ defense in the team’s Super Bowl run in 2021, has lost his job to rookie Barrett Carter, who is now flanking fellow rookie Demetrius Knight Jr.
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Part of the reason for that has to do with Wilson’s struggles, especially with tackling.
When at his best, Wilson has proven to be a top-flight starter during his career. He hasn’t shown that recently, but maybe a change of scenery will help him return to form.
Wilson is a solid off-ball linebacker who can hold his own in coverage and against the run. He is also a tackling machine, with Wilson posting 100 or more in each of the past four seasons.
Despite his recent struggles, Wilson would still amount to an upgrade for both teams, and he could prove to be a multi-year solution with his contract running through 2027. However, if things don’t pan out, he can easily be cut in 2026.
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It remains to be seen if the Bengals are willing to deal him, but if so, the Niners and Bills should have interest in a potential starter who will likely only cost a late Day 3 pick.
