The Buffalo Bills are heading into a pivotal offseason, and one thing is crystal clear: they need to give Josh Allen more firepower at wide receiver. For a team with a franchise quarterback in his prime and a Super Bowl window that’s still cracked open, the supporting cast simply hasn’t been good enough - and that falls squarely on the front office.
General manager Brandon Beane has taken some swings in recent years, but too many of them have missed the mark. Whether it was draft picks that didn’t pan out or free-agent signings that didn’t move the needle, the Bills haven’t done enough to keep pace with the AFC’s elite offenses. That has to change this offseason.
One name that’s starting to pick up steam in league circles? Mike Evans.
Yes, that Mike Evans - the five-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champion, and future Hall of Famer who’s spent his entire career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And while it’s hard to picture him in anything other than pewter and red, there’s growing belief that his time in Tampa Bay may be coming to an end.
According to reports from around the league, there’s less than a 50-50 chance Evans re-signs with the Bucs. The veteran receiver reportedly wants to chase another ring, and Buffalo is being mentioned as a legitimate landing spot.
From a football standpoint, the fit makes a lot of sense.
Evans may be on the wrong side of 30, but he still plays like a top-tier wideout. He’s a big-bodied, reliable target who can win on the outside, dominate in the red zone, and bring a veteran presence to a young receiver room. If the Bills were to land him, he’d immediately slide in as their No. 1 option - unless they make an even splashier move.
And here’s the kicker: he might not break the bank. Evans is projected to command around $26 million over two years - a reasonable number for a player of his caliber, especially given Buffalo’s tight cap situation. That’s the kind of deal that could work for both sides: the Bills get a proven weapon, and Evans gets a shot at another title.
Of course, this can’t be the only move Buffalo makes at receiver. Evans would be a great piece to add, but at this stage of his career, he should be viewed as a complementary weapon - not the entire solution. The Bills still need to invest in long-term answers at the position, whether through the draft or another free-agent swing.
But bringing in a player like Evans would send a clear message: Buffalo is still in win-now mode, and they’re serious about surrounding Josh Allen with the talent he needs.
If Beane and the front office can make it happen, it could be one of the most important moves of the offseason - not just for the Bills, but for the entire AFC playoff picture.