Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
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Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills warms up before the game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Buffalo Bills have already made an aggressive move this offseason to upgrade the offense around star quarterback Josh Allen.
Over the last couple of years, the Bills have had a clear need at the wide receiver position. Allen has been working with good talent, but he has not had a clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver.
To address that issue, Buffalo went out and acquired DJ Moore in a trade with the Chicago Bears. That move should fix the main issue. However, the Bills have to be careful not to head into the 2026 NFL season with too few weapons.
Right now on the Buffalo depth chart, Moore leads the way as the top option. Behind him, the Bills have options like Khalil Shakir, Joshua Palmer, and Keon Coleman. There is a lot of talent in that group of four, but what would happen if an injury occurred.
Buffalo needs to have at least one more proven option who could step in and play when called upon.
That need could be filled in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. However, there is a familiar option the Bills could simply sign to reunite with Allen.
Buffalo Bills Could Reunite Josh Allen With Veteran WR
Last season, Buffalo made the decision to bring in veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Now, the Bills are being urged to consider bringing him back for the 2026 campaign.
Alex Brasky of On SI has suggested that the team could use the $3.5 million in salary cap space from Ryan Van Demark leaving to re-sign Cooks.
“Finally, a familiar face, as Cooks remains available after he offered a reasonable deep threat during his time in Buffalo a season ago,” Brasky wrote. “At 32 years old, it’s fair to question what Cooks has left in the tank, but what he put on display during the 2025 season leaves room for optimism as far as what he could provide on a bargain one-year deal.”
Cooks may not be the elite No. 2 option that he once was, but he still might have some good football left in the tank.
Taking a Look at Cooks’ Short Tenure in Buffalo Last Year
After signing with Buffalo last season, Cooks played in five games. He caught five passes for 114 yards. Cooks also chipped in another five receptions and 78 yards in the playoffs.
Needless to say, those numbers are nothing to write home about. However, he showed some flashes of being a potential playmaker for Allen down the field.
Cooks had his best game of the season in the final game of the year for the Bills against the Philadelphia Eagles. He caught four passes for 101 yards in a tough 13-12 loss.
Granted, a move to bring back Cooks would not be a season-changing addition. But, it would be a last small investment into making sure that Allen is given the best opportunity for success possible heading into the upcoming season.