The Buffalo Bills have headlines by extending Josh Allen’s go-to wide receiver, Khalil Shakir to a four-year deal that is worth up to $60.2 million which includes $32 million guaranteed at the signing and $18 million paid in the first year of the contract, according to Adam Schefter.
Shakir was quiet with the Bills when he first was drafted in the fifth round, but would then excel once Joe Brady took over the playcalling duties in the middle of the 2023 season. Shakir proved that he could be a main go-to weapon for Allen rather than making Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis the main weapons in the passing game.
Coming off a career year with Buffalo, Brandon Beane decided to not mess around with a contract extension and now Shakir is guaranteed to be in Buffalo for the long-haul. If there is one player that should be excited about this move, it’s none other than his quarterback Josh Allen.
Shakir recorded 821 receiving yards off of 76 receptions (and he was targeted 100 times) and had four touchdowns. He has been a solid safety blanket for Allen in the slot and has helped take pressure off of the offense. You need a reliable pass catcher on a third-down situation? Shakir is the guy to make it happen.
Bills manage to extend Shakir without huge financial commitment
The biggest takeaway from this news is the contract that the Bills are offering Shakir. With only $32 million guaranteed, $18 million of it being paid in the first year, it’s actually a fantastic deal for Buffalo. Brandon Beane always manages to find ways to give the Bills breathing room when it comes to financial commitment.
When you look at the market, there are receivers being paid $30 mil+ and yet Shakir is a receiver that doesn’t drop a whole lot of passes. Getting him at this particular price is a steal for the Bills.
Out of the four top players that the Bills drafted in 2022, Shakir is the first player to get his extension. Now it’s a matter of time before we find out the futures of James Cook, Terrel Bernard, and Christian Benford.
Either way, Allen has his go-to guy for the future and Buffalo can start to add different pieces around to keep supporting their MVP quarterback.