The Buffalo Bills first adopted their “everybody eats” approach in 2024 after the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, embracing a new passing style that would spread out the targets.
While the new approach found success last season, the Bills have struggled this year without a bona fide No. 1 receiver to help quarterback Josh Allen. One insider believes the Bills will change that for next season, taking aim at a onetime NFL receiving leader who could be making an unexpected trip to the trade block.
Bills and Vikings Could Swap Again
The Bills found great success with their 2020 trade with the Minnesota Vikings, landing Diggs and sending a No. 1 pick that the Vikings used to take receiver Justin Jefferson. Though Jefferson still has three years left in a four-year, $140 million contract extension he signed last year, there are rumblings that he could hit the trade block amid a disappointing season and some rising tensions with the team.
Reporter Jacob Infante of PFSN suggested that if the Vikings do decide to trade Jefferson, the Bills could be at the front of the line to land him.
“Itâs becoming a running gag that the Buffalo Bills are consistently unable to get over the hump that is beating the Kansas City Chiefs in the postseason,” Infante wrote. “Theyâre consistently one of the top teams in the NFL, but theyâve yet to make a Super Bowl since Josh Allen became their quarterback. Should they fail to reach that goal again this year, they may need to swing for the fences, even if it means getting creative with their lack of cap space.”
Infante noted that the Bills lack a true No. 1 receiver, with Khalil Shakir taking that role by default but not bringing the requisite level of production
“Khalil Shakir is a perfectly capable complementary weapon, but Buffalo doesnât have a star pass-catcher on their offense to instill fear into opposing offenses,” Infante wrote. “Allen has been an MVP before with a middling supporting cast. Imagine what he could do with an elite WR1 like Jefferson.”
Justin Jefferson Opens Up on Difficult Season
Jefferson has not shied away from expressing his disappointment with the trajectory of this season for the Vikings. After a surprise 14-3 record last season behind the resurgent Sam Darnold, the Vikings opted to let the veteran quarterback leave in free agency and turned to the untested J.J. McCarthy.
The decision has backfired, with Darnold leading the Seattle Seahawks to a 9-3 record and McCarthy struggling with injuries and inconsistent play.
Jefferson hesitated to say this season is wasted, but said it was disappointing nonetheless.
“No, I wouldn’t say wasted,” Jefferson said, via ESPN. “Obviously it’s a difficult season. It’s probably one of the most difficult seasons just off of the circumstances, having a young quarterback, having a different team, having young players on the team. So it’s just one of those years. Not every year is going to be a top-tier year for me. It’s really a part of the game, so it’s just all on me to expect a lot from these guys and to improve on anything that we need to improve on as an offense.”
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