The Buffalo Bills have made another move on the NFL free agent market, reportedly signing wide receiver Laviska Shenault, according to Tom Pelissero. This marks their fourth offensive acquisition, joining wide receiver Joshua Palmer, running back Darrynton Evans, and fan-favorite Ty Johnson. Shenault’s addition also brings Buffalo’s total of West Coast players signed to four, with Joshua Palmer, Michael Hoecht, and Joey Bosa being the others.
Shenault adds another potential weapon for quarterback Josh Allen and can also contribute as a return specialist on special teams. The Bills have offered Shenault a one-year deal, continuing their pattern of offering two-year contracts only to Palmer, Hoecht, and Johnson.
Drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of 2020, Shenault has since played for four different teams. After two seasons with the Jaguars, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers, where he spent two years (2022-2023), before signing with the Seattle Seahawks. He played in just 11 games for Seattle before being waived and later picked up by the Los Angeles Chargers, where he appeared in only one game.
Signing of Laviska Shenault should be nothing more than potential depth
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Shenault’s career has not lived up to the expectations typically associated with a second-round pick. He has yet to exceed 619 receiving yards in a season and hasn’t scored a touchdown since 2022. It’s difficult to envision him playing a significant role in the Bills’ offense, and it’s hard to imagine him getting much attention as a wide receiver during training camp.
His primary role in Buffalo may be as competition for the return specialist spot. Head coach Sean McDermott values competition and getting the best out of his players, so there’s a chance Shenault could turn things around in Buffalo, but it’s also possible he could simply be a camp body who doesn’t make the final 53-man roster.
Regardless, this signing provides an additional player for training camp, allowing the coaches to evaluate his potential. At 26, he’s still young enough to earn a shot, but ultimately, his future with the Bills will depend on how he performs.
