Well, it was fun while it lasted, Bills Mafia.

After the Carolina Panthers fired head coach Matt Rhule last week, reports on NFL teams targeting a trade for running back Christian McCaffrey surged immediately. One of the teams to be among those reports was the Buffalo Bills.

As the favorites to win the Super Bowl, such a weapon would've turned them into an even more dangerous monster. But it's not going to happen. McCaffrey is officially headed elsewhere.

On Thursday night, Ian Rapoport from NFL Network reported the San Francisco 49ers were the winners of the sweepstakes for the star running back.

McCaffrey will stay in the NFC and will make an already uber-talented 49ers team even better.

And while Bills Mafia was daydreaming about McCaffrey becoming a member of the team, what San Francisco gave up is MASSIVE. Here's the compensation for the Panthers, per Rapoport's report:

• 2023 second-round pick
• 2023 third-round pick
• 2023 fourth-round pick
• 2024 fifth-round pick

Oh, my. That's a lot.

While it may work out for a 49ers team that's taking an all-in approach, the Bills would've never come close to such a package because they're built for long-term success. They don't need to sacrifice draft picks like that simply because they've got one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.

The Niners, on the other hand, are trying to make the most out of a weakened NFC West and hoping McCaffrey maximizes Garoppolo and/or Trey Lance in the future.

General Manager Brandon Beane would've never considered a move that big.

As good as McCaffrey is, those draft picks are essential to team building in the long run. The Bills walk out of this whole thing as winners. Dealing away so many picks would've been a huge mistake. Credit to Beane for not allowing the availability of such a superstar to cloud his judgment.

The cherry on top is that McCaffrey will stay in the NFC.

Even still, it kind of sucks that the Bills are not getting such a badass player. Fans will surely get over it quickly as soon as the team gets back to dominating opponents on the playing field, though.

By the way, Rapoport added the Bills were not even in it toward the end. Just by looking at what the 49ers gave up for C-Mac, I doubt anybody is surprised.

PS: I think everyone is excited about watching McCaffrey play under Kyle Shanahan. Let's go!

Featured image via Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports