Bills Central

Former Bills WR urges Buffalo to sign $80 million free-agent weapon for Josh Allen

The Buffalo Bills shuffled around their wide receiver room this offseason but some, including a former Bills playmaker, think they still need to add this 66-TD passcatcher.
Brian Letscher|
Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) against the Kansas City Chiefs
Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) against the Kansas City Chiefs | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

In this story:

Buffalo Bills | News, Scores, Schedules & StandingsLos Angeles Chargers

When an organization has the reigning MVP quarterback in the prime of his career, fans and media alike want to surround him with as many playmakers as possible. A former Buffalo Bills' starter, who knows plenty about playmaking himself, feels the same way.

The Bills did address their wide receiver room in the offseason. Mack Hollins went to the Patriots but they extended slot man Khalil Shakir. They haven't resigned Amari Cooper but did sign free agents Joshua Palmer, Laviska Shenault Jr. and Elijiah Moore and tacked on Maryland WR Kaden Prather in the 7th round of the draft — building a wide receiver room that Bills' GM Brandon Beane likes.

But the media and others still think Buffalo needs more help — much to Beane's ire. A bigger name, maybe — someone that brings experience and production and multiple Pro Bowls and big contracts. Former Bills wide receiver, Stevie Johnson, recently suggested a well-known name in free agent Keenan Allen.

RELATED: NFL analyst predicts whether Bills WR Keon Coleman will earn Josh Allen's trust

Beyond the last name, what would Allen (Keenan) bring? He does bring Pro Bowls (six) and a lot of experience (11 years in NFL) and production — he has 974 career receptions for 11,274 yards and 66 touchdowns. After ten seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, Allen spent last year with the Bears and rookie QB Caleb Williams where he still went for 70 catches for 744 yards and six TDs in 15 games.

Allen could be a very solid addition to the Bills' offense. His free agent market value is not outrageous at $11 million AAV but Buffalo doesn't exactly have the cap space to make it feasible. There are some moves they could make to free up cap space, including in the wide receiver room. It would be tricky but Allen-to-Allen does have a nice ring to it.

—  Enjoy free coverage of the Bills from Buffalo Bills on SI  —

More Buffalo Bills News:

Published
Brian Letscher
BRIAN LETSCHER

A Michigan native, Brian graduated from the University of Michigan in another century, where he earned a degree in economics and a Rose Bowl Championship ring while playing football for the Wolverines under Head Coach Gary Moeller. Brian went on to coach Division 1A football for several years before becoming a full-time writer and actor while maintaining an unhealthy interest in sports. He is currently developing a scripted television series, THOSE WHO STAY, based on a series of historical fiction articles he wrote about Bo Schembechler's Michigan football program as they struggle to unite and win the championship - which requires beating #1 Ohio State - during the tumultuous civil rights and anti-war movements of 1969.

Home/News