Pro Football Rumors
Despite acquiring Amari Cooper from the Browns, the Bills did not move Khalil Shakir down in their pass-game pecking order. Months later, the team’s reliable slot receiver will land a solid extension.
The Bills are signing Shakir to a four-year deal, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report. The fourth-year slot agreed to terms on a deal that will max out at $60.2MM and include $32MM guaranteed at signing. Helping to move the negotiations across the goal line: an $18MM payment in Year 1, ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds.
Although the near-$15MM AAV number certainly could be classified as a win for the Bills, they are authorizing a full guarantee that comes in just outside the top 20 at receiver. Shakir’s at-signing guarantee nearly matches Nico Collins‘ on his $24MM-per-year deal; though, the Texans only secured a three-year extension for Collins. The Bills managed to keep Shakir from testing free agency in 2026 on a four-year pact, which will keep his connection with Josh Allen in place for years to come, as the deal runs through the 2029 season.
Considering Shakir’s importance in the post-Stefon Diggs Bills passing game, agreeing to a four-year deal at what appears to be less than $15MM per year in base value is interesting. But $32MM guaranteed at signing represents a nice haul for a player who initially worked as a low-end target in a passing attack fronted by Diggs and Gabe Davis. Shakir came on during the second half of the 2023 season, however, and functioned as Buffalo’s nominal WR1 following last year’s Diggs trade.
Shakir, who turned 25 earlier this month, accumulated 821 receiving yards last season. Allen’s most reliable chain-mover added four touchdowns, being a surehanded player for an offense in transition. In addition to losing Diggs, the Bills let Davis walk (to Jacksonville). Their offense still hummed, as Allen collected MVP honors. While the team did trade for Cooper to help boost its offense, the 1,000-yard regular was more role player than go-to target. Shakir instead continued as Allen’s top option, and this contract will ensure the reigning MVP can keep building a rapport with a Day 3 success story.
More to come.
