WGR

‘Shakir was a former fifth-round pick (148th overall) of the Bills in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Boise State University. Despite a bit of a slower start to his career in Buffalo, Shakir has really blossomed into, arguably, Allen’s No. 1 target in the clutch over the last two seasons.

‘For the first time since reports surfaced over the last couple of weeks, the Buffalo Bills confirmed on Monday they have moved on from special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley, as well as head strength and conditioning coach Eric Ciano.’

‘There are two big questions surround this group this offseason. First, what will the team do with Von Miller and his contract?’

‘The defense was very much a “bend, but don’t break” unit, as their stats will show.’

‘I thought the additions of Curtis Samuel (through free agency) and Amari Cooper (in-season trade) would have had a bigger impact, but both were just average. Samuel had only 31 receptions for 253 yards, while Cooper had 20 catches for 297 yards in his eight games with the Bills.’

‘That starting five shouldn’t change, and the sixth man who joins the group, Alec Anderson, is poised to be back in that same spot again in 2025 after re-signing a one-year deal. Anderson can play guard or center and even tackle in a pinch.’

‘Year 3 will be huge for Kincaid.’

‘Tabor has an extensive history in the NFL as a special teams coordinator, having been in that position continuously from 2011-to-2023 with the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears and then finally with the Carolina Panthers.’

‘No position may have been more scrutinized or questioned heading into the 2024 season than wide receiver. Only one player returned from the previous year who had ever caught a pass from Josh Allen: Khalil Shakir.’

‘Smiley joined the Bills as an assistant special teams coordinator in 2017, serving in that role for five years before being promoted to special teams coordinator in 2022.’

‘In Jauron’s three seasons in Buffalo, Jauron led the Bills to three straight 7-9 records. Jauron led the Bills to a 5-1 start in 2008 before he was fired in 2009.’

‘Allen earned 27 first-place votes for NFL MVP, beating out Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s 23 first-place votes. Jackson was gunning for his second-straight NFL MVP honor, and third-career MVP honor.’

‘Beane was right on both of those counts. Since 2019, the Beane/McDermott Bills have gone 71-28 in the regular season which is a winning percentage of .717. They’ve made the playoffs in each of those six seasons. They’ve won the last five AFC East division titles. They’ve made two appearances in the AFC Championship game in the last five years. The Bills are 7-6 in the postseason in that stretch. 0-4 against the Chiefs and 7-2 against all other teams.’

‘If so, how much money will that cost? If the two sides don’t agree to an extension, Cook will enter the fourth and final year of his rookie contract in 2025.’

‘To do that, they’ll either need to restructure his deal once again (as they have the last few years) or sign an extension. That may be exactly what happens in order to get his salary more in-line with the best players in the league, and also allow more years to push some of that money down the road, lowering his cap hit.’