Last season in the NFL, the goal was within reach, just a step away. But another defeat at the hands of the Chiefs denied the Buffalo Bills a shot at the long-awaited Super Bowl. This season, the entire franchise has reasons to be hopeful and aims to go far. A key offensive teammate of Josh Allen sent a clear message to the fans.
In recent days, the news broke about the contract renewal of one of the players Josh Allen targeted most last season, Khalil Shakir. The former Boise State standout secured his continuity with Sean McDermott’s team, which made him very happy, and he didn’t hesitate to send a heartfelt message to Bills Mafia.
“Everything happens for a reason, and I had said, before the draft, that the Bills was one of my top teams. To get that phone call from them and to be where we’re at now, like I said before, it’s surreal. It’s crazy,” said Shakir at a press conference.
“I truly enjoy being a Bill, thankful for everyone in this organization, and thankful to continue to be here,” the WR also added. “Buffalo is a special place. I knew from the moment I stepped through these doors that I wanted to be here.”
Khalil Shakir #10 of the Buffalo Bills takes the field prior to playing the Denver Broncos during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs at Highmark Stadium on January 12, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York.
“Bills Mafia, there’s just, there’s nothing like it, so I’m just super grateful,” he finally concluded. Shakir will look to improve on his performance from last season, where he led the Bills with 821 receiving yards on 76 catches, becoming one of Josh Allen’s top targets.
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Brandon Beane’s opinion on Shakir
The team-building process for the upcoming season began with great news, at least for Allen and his offense. The Bills renewed their contract with Khalil Shakir, who signed a four-year extension reportedly worth $60 million.
The team’s General Manager, Brandon Beane, was one of the key figures in making this possible, and he expressed his satisfaction with the continuation of the talented wide receiver for Sean McDermott’s team.
“When the ball’s thrown his way, he usually comes down with it. I’m sure everyone on our team that’s coming back will be excited to have Khalil,” said general manager Brandon Beane to the press.
General Manager Brandon Beane of the Buffalo Bills walks off the field after Buffalo Bills mandatory mini camp on June 11, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York.
Can Allen lead the Bills to a Super Bowl?
Although Josh Allen was named the new MVP of the regular season in the NFL, the sting remained for not being able to lead his team to a Super Bowl. Despite this, GM Beane fully believes in his QB’s talent and is optimistic that they can achieve it.
“He had a non-traditional journey,” Beane said on The Pat McAfee Show. “Junior college, emailing all these coaches to get a scholarship, gets one offer at Wyoming. We know all the people that were questioning ‘could he play quarterback at the NFL?’ He gets drafted where he was drafted. He was criticized, we were criticized for doing it. He never wavered, he took the criticism. He’s always had that chip.
“Doing our research, this young man, he had a chip long before people were giving him reasons to have a chip. He’s got a chip now, as excited as he was and honored to win the MVP. He knows and we know the ultimate goal is to win a championship. That didn’t remove any chip winning the MVP.”
