Bills’ Rookie Skyler Bell Being Held Back in Buffalo’s WR Battle

The once prized fourth-round pick from the 2026 NFL Draft this past April is having a slow start to training camp so far this summer, but the circumstances surrounding him might be at fault for why he’s seemingly falling further behind on the depth chart.

Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell turns up the field after a catch across the middle of the field during the opening day of Bills training camp at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, New York, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Despite being the second player selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft in April—and the fourth player in the overall pecking order of the team’s 10-player draft class this spring—there may have been no player that received greater hype entering their first NFL offseason over the past few months leading up to training camp in Pittsford, New York, than rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell, who was quickly snatched up by the Bills at pick No. 125 out of the University of Connecticut on Day 3 of the league-wide event four months ago.

Bell was instantly beloved by many in Bills Mafia . . . and he felt it.

Rookie WR earned respect of Bills fans right away this spring

Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell (center) gives his skull cap to a fan after they beat him in a game of rock, paper, scissors at the end of Day 6 of Buffalo's training camp at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, New York, on Thursday, August 5, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

“It’s just motivation. I want to show people (around the league that)—y’all [expletive] up—I’m really that (guy),” Bills’ rookie receiver Skyler Bell said in an interview with The Buffalo News earlier this offseason.

“I’m just trying to get better every day. So, when the season comes, I’m ready to put it all together."

The wide receiver position has seemingly always been a hot-button topic of discussion in Western New York in recent years, especially since the departure of former veteran All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs in 2024.

And, the outside noise has only grown louder with the recent struggles of third-year wideout Keon Coleman and last year’s top free-agent signing Joshua Palmer, who’s a former 2021 third-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Chargers out of the University of Tennessee.

Combine that with the fact that Bell finished second in the entire FBS in 2025 with 1,278 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns on 101 receptions for the Huskies, and it’s not hard to see why the anticipation to finally witness him on the field this offseason had been mounting from fans.

The Bronx, New York, native, who originally attended the University of Wisconsin from 2021 to 2023 before transferring to Connecticut in 2024, was simply sensational as a senior while playing for UConn this past fall. And, with that in mind, many outside observers thought that the transition of going from catching passes from former Huskies quarterback Joe Fagnano in college to being the recipient of balls supplied by Bills’ franchise quarterback Josh Allen in the pros would be seamless.

Nov. 1, 2025; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Former UConn Huskies wide receiver Skyler Bell (1) catches a touchdown while being covered by UAB Blazers cornerback Tariq Watson (24) | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Bell has been off to slower start to training camp then some expected

So far, however, that has not been the case for the 5-foot-11, 192-pound wideout this summer through the first slate of practices at training camp. 

It hasn’t been due to too much fault of his own, though.

Bell, who—at the age of 24—is actually older than Coleman despite being a rookie, and is just two years younger than the previously aforementioned 26-year-old Palmer, hasn’t been receiving much time catching passes from Allen thus far in August at all.

Buffalo Bills franchise quarterback Josh Allen (17) and rookie receiver Skyler Bell (13) give each other a unique handshake between drills during the final day of Buffalo's training camp at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, New York, on Friday, August 7, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Instead, it’s been backup quarterbacks Kyle Allen and Shane Buechele throwing the rookie receiver the “rock” as both players are currently in a battle for the right to be Buffalo’s former 2024 league MVP’s backup this season.

And, with that being the case, it has seemingly hindered Bell’s development as he no longer looks like the odds-on favorite to win a top rotational spot on the wide receiver depth chart this fall in his first professional season.

While he got off to a nice start at St. John Fisher University two weeks ago, things have since cooled off quite significantly for the once highly-favored rookie.

In fact, he’s missed the last couple of practices to start this week due to an undisclosed injury, as well, which included Tuesday’s morning session in Orchard Park, New York.

Clearly, it hasn’t been ideal. 

But, his offensive coaches aren’t giving up on him: not in the slightest. They’ve seen incremental improvements when Bell’s been between the white lines.

Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell (13) pulls in a pass in the end zone during Day 4 of Buffalo's training camp at St. John Fisher University on Monday, August 3, 2026 in Pittsford, New York. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Crucial preseason opportunity awaits Bell after incremental strides made in Pittsford, N.Y.

“Yeah, I think that we have thrown a ton at him. We’ve put him at a ton of different positions, (and had him run) a ton of different routes. I mean—we have asked him to do a lot—and he has gone out there, and he’s done everything we’ve asked. He’s smart. He can play those multiple positions. He can run a lot of routes,” new Bills’ offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. said in an interview at One Bills Drive on Monday.

“I think that, again, maybe the last couple days there just hasn’t been (a connection). He’s been open, and maybe there are (misreads) . . . (or) I should say that maybe (the coach) called the play to get him the ball, and a specific coverage took it to somebody else. . . . 

“We’re excited with where he’s at.”

On that note, the fact that Bell is being relegated to practicing mostly with the second- and third- string offenses so far in camp appears to be due to a combination of things.

Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell catches a pass at Buffalo's training camp at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, New York, on Aug. 6, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

First, the adjustment period from making the jump from playing at a somewhat smaller—at least in terms of football—school at the collegiate level to playing in the NFL might be taking a little longer than initially expected.

And, that’s OK: it’s normal.

However, what’s more concerning is his inability to earn more increased reps with the starting unit through his play in practice.

Is it due to Kyle Allen and Shane Buechele’s incompetency, which Carmichael somewhat tried to avoid mentioning in his interview, or is it due to a lack of current comfortability? 

Whatever the case may be, Bell hasn’t blown anyone away in Buffalo so far.

He’ll need a string of strong preseason performances to end the summer if he’s going to earn the right to see the field for any significant amount of time in his rookie campaign, at least early on.

Despite current outlook, not time for Bell or Bills fans to hit panic button just yet

Right now, Coleman and Palmer appear to be firmly entrenched on the depth chart ahead of the “youngster” heading into Saturday’s exhibition opener against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. ET at the new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium, and it’ll be up to Bell to change that.

If not, his rookie year might go off the rails before it even gets started. But, it’s not time to panic just yet, either.

First, he must get back on the field quickly. And, if can get back in time—once Saturday rolls around—the former Taft School standout must show up and show out in his NFL preseason debut.

And, Carmichael Jr.—despite there being many outside opinions to the contrary—believes that his backup quarterbacks can give Bell the chance that he needs to shine.

Buffalo Bills' quarterbacks Josh Allen and Kyle Allen, as well as quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree, joke around with fellow quarterback Shane Buechele after practice at Bills training camp at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, New York, on Aug. 1, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

“I think that they both bring a ton of value—not only on the field—but what they bring to the meeting room, their relationship with Josh, their ability to communicate with him, and kind of from their vision, too: what they see,” Carmichael Jr. added on Monday.

“But, I think that—as we get into the preseason and play some games—it’ll be a great opportunity to see them both.”

Hopefully, it’ll be a great opportunity for once highly-anticipated rookie receiver, as well.

Fans will soon find out. The preseason opener is just days away from taking place in Western New York.

It’s almost time to celebrate some more, Bills Mafia.

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