BREAKING: Bills GM Identifies Missing Piece for QB Josh Allen
Last offseason, the Buffalo Bills revamped their offense by releasing their top two wide receivers and allowing several veteran players to leave in free agency.
Despite these changes, the team delivered one of its most successful offensive seasons, setting a franchise record with 525 points and reaching the AFC Championship game. However, general manager Brandon Beane feels there may still be a key addition missing from the offense, which the team could pursue in the upcoming offseason.
Bills Need Field-Stretching Wide Receiver
At the NFL combine this week, general manager Brandon Beane spoke to reporters about the need for more speed in the Buffalo Bills’ wide receiver group. He noted that the team lacked a true deep threat, as they focused more on size and the ability to win contested catches.
Beane suggested that adding speed could be a way to further complement quarterback Josh Allen, who recently became the first Bills player to win league MVP honors since Thurman Thomas in 1991. However, Beane was clear that he didn’t believe the lack of speed had cost the team a Super Bowl victory, though he acknowledged it could be an area for improvement.
“We’re always looking to add speed, but they’ve got to be football players, too,” Beane said. “You want speed at as many positions as you can. But football isn’t played on a track, so we evaluate the football player first, and then consider what else they bring.”
Beane framed speed as more of a “want” than a “need” this offseason, pointing out that the team averaged over 30 points per game in 2024. He emphasized that if the offense had struggled or ranked lower, he might view the lack of speed differently. “If we were the 20th-ranked offense and it was constantly an issue, I’d probably agree with that,” he said.
New Approach Worked for Buffalox
The Buffalo Bills made significant changes to their offense last year, trading top receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans and letting No. 2 wideout Gabe Davis leave in free agency. Adopting an “everybody eats” approach in 2024, the team spread the ball around to a larger group of pass-catchers and entered the season without a clear No. 1 receiver.
Nine players recorded at least 250 receiving yards on the season, with Khalil Shakir leading the group with 76 receptions for 821 yards and four touchdowns. The Bills rewarded Shakir this week with a four-year contract worth up to $60.2 million, including $32 million in guarantees.
As noted by Anthony Miller of SI.com, the new deal effectively makes Shakir the team’s top receiver, although Miller suggested that the Bills could still use a high draft pick to further enhance their receiving corps.
“By default, Shakir will become the No. 1 receiver unless Keon Coleman emerges in his sophomore year as the top guy,” Miller wrote. “Tight end Dalton Kincaid gives the team another reliable option in the passing game, and the Bills have plenty to work with between those three.”