The Buffalo Bills are helmed by one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, reigning MVP Josh Allen — but have been held back from their goal of reaching the Super Bowl by his supporting cast.
One NFL insider warns that this could be the issue again in 2025, questioning whether the Bills have the right talent and depth on their roster to finally get over the hump and past the Kansas City Chiefs. Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton suggested that the lack of star power outside of Allen could be a major stumbling block for the Bills in the coming season.
Bills Relying Too Heavily on Josh Allen
Moton suggested that the Bills lack a playmaking star on their offense, someone who can step up in the playoffs and get them past teams like the Chiefs. Moton noted that the Chiefs have two such playmakers.
“Last offseason, Kansas City drafted explosive wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who made strides late in the 2024 campaign,” Moton wrote. “He caught 19 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns in the playoffs. He has momentum entering his second year, and fellow wide receiver Rashee Rice will return from injury.”
While the Bills certainly have a great depth of talent on offense, they lack a single standout player who can step up in the biggest situations.
“Buffalo has great depth at wide receiver with Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Elijah Moore, Joshua Palmer and Curtis Samuel on the roster, but who’s going to be the go-to target in clutch moments?” Moton wrote.
“In 2024, Shakir led the Bills in catches (76) and receiving yards (821), but he didn’t eclipse 67 receiving yards in their playoff games. And with a higher volume of targets, the 25-year-old saw a significant drop-off in big plays downfield.”
It was the team’s playmakers who fell short in past playoff exits, with Stefon Diggs dropping a late pass in the team’s divisonal-round loss to the Chiefs in the 2023 season and tight end Dalton Kincaid dropping another pass against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game last year.
The challenge facing the Bills could become even more stark if running back James Cook were to miss any time, Moton added.
“The Bills shouldn’t have to rely on Allen having an MVP year to reach the NFL mountaintop,” Moton wrote. “If two-time Pro Bowl running back James Cook holds out in the summer after reporting to mandatory minicamp, Allen may not have the playmakers around him to get this team over the hump.”
Bills Get Good News on James Cook
The Bills may have avoided Moton’s worst-case scenario, with signs pointing to Cook’s return to the team despite an ongoing contract dispute. The Pro Bowl running back has publicly pushed for a new contract and floated the idea of making $15 million per season, but Bills general manager Brandon Beane made it clear that the team is not close and there will be no further negotiations.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his contract and speculation that he could skip mandatory minicamp, Cook ended up joining teammates at the practices this week. Bills head coach Sean McDermott said he was happy to see the team’s star running back in attendance.
âI really appreciate him being here,â McDermott said.
McDermott added that Cook’s contract dispute won’t keep him from fulfilling his commitments to the team and his teammates.
âI credit James,â McDermott said. âBusiness is business, but at the end of the day, I know he loves being around this team and the guys in this locker room, and he loves to play football. So I respect his decision to be here and be amongst the team and get some work in, and weâre looking forward to that.â
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