When NFL free agency began on March 13, the Buffalo Bills still had Stefon Diggs on their roster. They chose to sign veteran wide receiver Curtis Samuel to a three-year, $24 million deal due to his prior connection with offensive coordinator Joe Brady and general manager Brandon Beane from their time in Carolina. The idea was that Samuel would add versatility to Buffalo’s passing game.
However, on April 3, the Bills traded Diggs to the Houston Texans, which placed even greater expectations on Samuel as the veteran presence in the receiving corps. The Bills’ selection of Keon Coleman in the second round of the NFL Draft didn’t alter this expectation—clearly, they had plans for the versatile receiver they had signed to a three-year contract.
Brady praised Samuel during the summer, highlighting his familiarity and the flexibility he adds to the playbook.
But so far, these expectations haven’t materialized.
Samuel exited Sunday’s game early due to a shoulder injury and did not return. After the game, head coach Sean McDermott stated that there were no updates on his status yet. Aside from the injury, Samuel has remained largely uninvolved, receiving just 18 targets over seven games, with 12 catches for 92 yards. His most significant contribution came in Week 6 against the Jets, where he had three receptions for 44 yards while Khalil Shakir was limited.
With the addition of Amari Cooper, Samuel’s role has diminished even further.
What’s the plan moving forward? It raises questions about how Samuel can be utilized effectively beyond a limited “gadget” role. Cooper, Coleman, and Shakir are expected to be the team’s primary receivers, with Mack Hollins filling the fourth spot thanks to his size and blocking skills that benefit other players. Additionally, tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, along with running backs James Cook, Ray Davis, and Ty Johnson—who all scored on Sunday—will further limit Samuel’s opportunities.
At this point, Samuel’s contract appears to be a misallocation of resources. He seems to be relegated to a depth role, with minimal prospects for making a significant impact on the Bills’ offense.
