The Buffalo Bills enter the 2025 season with one of the NFL’s most dynamic quarterbacks in Josh Allen, but questions remain about whether the team has done enough to surround him with elite talent.
While Allen continues to play at an MVP level, one NFL analyst believes the roster around him might still be holding the franchise back from reaching its ultimate goal.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton recently highlighted Buffalo’s lack of proven offensive playmakers as a serious concern, suggesting that the team may once again fall short in the postseason if it continues to rely solely on Allen’s brilliance.
“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.”
Buffalo’s depth tested
Moton compared Buffalo’s offensive unit to that of the Kansas City Chiefs, who continue to equip Patrick Mahomes with rising stars.
Citing the emergence of Xavier Worthy, Moton pointed to Kansas City’s late-season and postseason success as evidence of what Buffalo lacks.
“Last offseason, Kansas City drafted explosive wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who made strides late in the 2024 campaign,” he 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.”
In contrast, the Bills’ receiving corps is loaded with depth but lacks a true game-changer.
Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Elijah Moore, Curtis Samuel, and Joshua Palmer offer versatility, but none have established themselves as a go-to target in big moments.
“Buffalo has great depth at wide receiver… but who’s going to be the go-to target in clutch moments?” Moton asked.
Even Shakir, who led the team with 76 receptions and 821 yards in 2024, failed to make a significant impact in the postseason, never surpassing 67 receiving yards in any playoff game.
Moton also noted that with an increased target share, Shakir’s ability to stretch the field with explosive plays noticeably diminished.
Playoff failures in recent years have highlighted the issue. In the 2023 postseason, Stefon Diggs dropped a crucial pass in a divisional-round loss to Kansas City.
In 2024, Dalton Kincaid was unable to haul in a key pass during the AFC Championship game, also against the Chiefs.
Encouraging signs as James Cook reports to camp
Moton also pointed to the potential absence of James Cook as a possible tipping point. Cook, who has openly lobbied for a new deal worth upwards of $15 million annually, had raised concerns about a holdout. However, those fears were calmed when Cook arrived at mandatory minicamp, participating in team drills despite no progress on his contract extension.
“I really appreciate him being here,” said head coach Sean McDermott, who also credited Cook’s professionalism during an uncertain contract situation.
“Business 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.”
Cook’s presence ensures that the Bills will start the season with their Pro Bowl running back in the fold, but the underlying issue remains.
Without a top-tier receiving threat or reliable postseason performer outside of Allen, Buffalo may once again come up short in their quest to topple Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Until the Bills can pair Allen’s elite quarterback play with consistent, big-game production from the rest of the offense, the burden to carry the franchise will remain squarely on his shoulders-and that could prove costly when the playoffs roll around.
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