The Buffalo Bills had some unfortunate issues in the 2025 NFL season, and postseason. Their defense struggled to stop the run, turnovers beat down otherwise excellent drives, but there was a notable narrative that never failed to prove true.
The Bills had a serious wide receiver problem. Their lack of both talent at the top and serviceable depth was a death blow. Following the season and the immense shift in coaching staff, there is a lot to be reviewed. We're looking at WRs; In the Joe Brady era of the Bills, who stays and who goes?
Buffalo Bills WR group heading into the 2026 offseason
Brandin Cooks
Status: Unrestriced Free Agent
Bills fans had mixed feelings when the team signed Brandin Cooks late in the season. He started out slow, struggling to haul in the ball even when open, but quickly became the lone healthy deep separator on the roster. It's a shame it came to it, but ultimately the Bills relied on their best available hands to try and win it all- Cooks owned those hands. His deal to end the season was cheap and short, but now he is a free agent.
Josh Allen seemed to lean on the veteran receiver when it mattered. Equipped with a receiving core that needs more work than one season's free agency and draft, signing a player like Cooks to a one-year deal may be a smart move. He won't be expensive, with early estimates of $5m per season if retained, but he is an option.
Expectation: Offer a 1-year deal
Khalil Shakir
Status: Contracted through 2029
Khalil Shakir led the Buffalo Bills in receiving yards, targets, catches, and was second on the roster with four toughdown catches. His involvement was undeniable, even if his usage raised some questions. Shakir is a trusted target to Josh Allen, and a useful player for now-Head Coach Joe Brady.
His ability to keep balance through contact and find a burst when he needs it has made Khalil Shakir into a premium yards after catch threat. His role may have changed, but a new season brings fresh change again. In 2026, Shakir will still be an important piece of this WR core.
Expectation: Retain, no change
Joshua Palmer
Status: Contracted though 2027
Joshua Palmer was set to be a deep threat and blocker, essentially reprising the role that Gabe Davis left unfulfilled following the 2023 season. When the year began, Palmer was quickly hobbled. He hit the injured reserve, having already underwhelmed when healthy, and failed to make good on his first season on the Bills. His return was rushed out of necessity, and he didn't ever recover from his injury.
Palmer is still more than capable of stepping into that unfilled role in 2026. His contract is not egregious, though this upcoming season holds an $11.75m cap hit. Muscling through 2026 keeps the relative youngster affordable in 2027; Cutting him costs more money than it saves. Buffalo still needs role players, even if they do find a way to add top-tier talent.
Expectation: Retain, no change.
Gabriel Davis
Status: Unrestricted Free Agent
Speaking of Gabriel Davis, the Bills are left with a decision. Another late addition that had to be used out of desperation, Gabe Davis actually looked quite good. Had he not fallen to a filthy hit in the Wild Card round, he may have even been the difference against the Broncos.
Still, a season full of almosts leaves us heartbroken. Davis certainly deserves better than a thank you and a dismissal, but his late ACL tear and lack of 2026 contract make it hard to bring him back. Josh Allen, and a little Joe Brady, may end up seeing him added to the practice squad once he's healthy again. A new contract now is simply a pipedream.
Expectation: No offer
Tyrell Shavers
Status: Contracted through 2026
After two seasons on the practice squad, the 2023 undrafted free agent finally cracked the roster in 2025. Tyrell Shavers made impressive plays all season, and was a willful and effective blocker and special teamer. Shavers is everything you'd want in bottom-roster player who finally got his shot.
Against the Jaguars, Tyrell Shavers tore his ACL, then played the enire second half anyway, making key blocks to score the game-winning touchdown. Though his season ended that night, and the Bills' six days later, Shavers showed his worth. His final season of a two-year contract, Shavers is due only $1m, and won't count to the roster as he starts the year on injured reserve.
He will be retained, and fight for a spot on the roster once more come August, if he's able.
Expectation: Retain, no change
Curtis Samuel
Status: Contracted through 2026
When Curtis Samuel was signed in 2024, he was expected to add a layer to this offense. That performance never came, and neither his usage nor his skill impressed the Bills. He went to the injured reserve early, with a minor ailment; That IR designation was just to make room for more usable players.
He enters the final year of his contract, now, but don't expect him to take the field. Curtis Samuel will be cut early this offseason, saving the team roughly $5m on the salary cap. A team player, and a nice guy, Samuel just never really gelled on offense.
Expectation: Cut Pre-June 1st
Keon Coleman
Status: Contracted through 2027
The Keon Coleman of 2025 was a disappointment for many. From his frustrating performances on the field to his issues with discipline and punctuality, it was a rollercoaster year. Keon is still very young but, as he enters his third NFL season, something must change. All of this, coupled with Terry Pegula's remarks on him, has left a bad taste in the mouths of fans.
Keon's value on the open market is limited, with his public issues. That being said, he's got great physical traits and could grow. If the opportunity arises to trade him, Coleman could be off the Bills in short order, but that may not occur. If a willing partner doesn't appear, the team can try to get him under wraps with a new coaching staff. If Joe Brady at the helm doesn't change things, perhaps the new group of position coaches will.
Expectation: Trade if able, keep if unable
Mecole Hardman Jr.
Status: Future/Reserve contract
Mecole Hardman Jr. did provide a few valuable snaps, but it was surprising to see him sign a future/reserve deal with the Bills instead of hitting free agency with no restrictions. His track record would likely have seen him rostered somewhere in the league, but Buffalo should be happy to keep him for now. He will fight for a place on the roster or settle for a practice squad spot in 2026.
Expectation: Retain, no change
Stephen Gosnell
Status: Future/Reserve contract
Gosnell is a player who was well-liked on the practice squad this season. He worked hard as an undrafted free agent, and his contract offer was earned. He's going to remain rostered until post-draft, at least, but isn't considered a contender for a roster spot. With the moves Buffalo is expected to make at WR, that will be no surprise.