Josh Allen
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Josh Allen in a game against the Denver Broncos.
The Buffalo Bills struck out at the NFL trade deadline, failing to add any help for their struggling wide receiving corps.
The team will have another chance soon, and could take a second swing at a rumored trade target from last year. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Bills have their eyes on two potential wide receiver targets, including one speedster who just helped the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl.
Bills Expected to ‘Strongly Address’ Receiving Corps
Fowler reported that the Bills are expected to be active on the wide receiver market once free agency opens later this month, pointing to two potential targets.
“Rival teams expect Buffalo to strongly address wide receiver in the coming weeks. And multiple league executives are linking Rashid Shaheed or Romeo Doubs to the Bills,” Fowler reported. “Alec Pierce will most likely be out of their price range.”
Shaheed had been identified as a top potential target at last season’s NFL trade deadline, but the Bills came up short after general manager Brandon Beane said they were unable to find a willing trade partner.
Shaheed had an impact in two phases of the game since joining the Seahawks, making 15 receptions for 188 yards and returning 13 punts for 210 total yards and one touchdown and 14 kicks for 418 yards and a touchdown.
He continued to make an impact through the team’s run to the Super Bowl, making three receptions for 78 yards and returning four kicks for 178 total yards, including a 95-yard touchdown.
Bills May Need to Pay More for Strong Playoff Performer
The Bills could also face some difficult decisions on some of their own free agents, including a surprise playoff performer. After striking out at the trade deadline, the Bills made two late-season additions by signing Mecole Hardman and claiming Brandin Cooks off waivers.
While Hardman struggled with injuries over the final stretch of the season, Cooks grew into one of the team’s top targets.
If the Bills aim to keep Cooks, they may need to open up the checkbook. Spotrac predicted that he would earn a significant upgrade after a strong performance in Buffalo, with a projected market value of $3 million annual average — a bump from the $1.3 million average in his current deal.
The Bills could also face a difficult decision on wide receiver Keon Coleman, who was benched twice during the season for disciplinary reasons and then became a point of contention after the team fired head coach Sean McDermott. Owner Terry Pegula, in the season-ending press conference, said it was McDermott who pushed to draft Coleman in 2024.
Beane had a strong assessment of Coleman this offseason, giving hope that he could still have a spot on the roster in 2026.
“Keon had a very good offseason last year, and honestly he had a very good training camp,” Beane said. “We played the Ravens that first game. He had 100 and whatever yards, and just some things from a maturity standpoint after that, but Keon has said all the right things. I give him this, he’s very accountable. He’s never made excuses. We’re all hands on deck. We’re all going to do our part. And I know Joe and those new coaches are very excited for what is in store for Year 3.”