Nov 15, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) celebrates his touchdown with Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (88) against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Buffalo Bills at Arizona Cardinals
Not too long ago, it was a serious discussion to be had, that Cole Beasley was the NFL’s best slot receiver. Unfortunately, the Bills and him agreed to part ways this past offseason. It seems evident that the front office was keen on Isaiah McKenzie and Jamison Crowder being able to replace him. McKenzie has not been able to do that, outside of a few solid games and plays this year, and Crowder has been out since September. Just two days after the Bills’ big win over the New York Jets, where McKenzie dropped multiple passes, Cole Beasley was brought out of retirement and signed to the practice squad.
Two weeks ago the Bills brought back an old friend in veteran speedster, John Brown. He has been elevated and played in two games in a row with his snaps increasing. Many fans were clamoring for the re-signing of Beasley to get the entire old band back together. They got their wish on Tuesday morning. The Bills receiving core now consists of; Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Isaiah McKenzie, Khalil Shakir, John Brown, Beasley, and Jake Kumerow on IR. With the playoffs approaching, the Bills might now own the deepest receiving core in the league.
It does not take 20/20 vision to see the Bills’ offense has been underperforming. A large part of that has been the loss of the Bease-knees. Beasley played three seasons in Buffalo and was one of Josh Allen’s favorite targets. In those three seasons, Beasley totaled 231 receptions, for 2,438 yards, 11 touchdowns, 127 first downs, and a 71.1% catch percentage. Drops have been aplenty recently for the Bills and it’s killing them. The sure-handed slot man should step right in and help with that. Beasley was Josh Allen’s safety-valve and go-to guy on third downs. Allen reportedly approached the front office about bringing the crafty veteran back and the Bills’ general manager, Brandon Beane, wasted no time getting him on a flight to Buffalo.
Former Bills center and now radio analyst, Eric Wood, took to Twitter to express the good this signing means. “I have said it multiple times on air this year that although McKenzie brings more big play potential to the slot, the Bills’ offense this year has missed the option routes that Beasley brought to the offense the past few years,” Wood said on Twitter. “It especially comes into play when they play a team that can get pressure with a four-man rush and play zone behind it.” Already familiar with the playbook, Beasley should be able to slot right in and help the offense immediately. This could be the exact move to help the Bills’ offense get back to their high-powered ways, and it could really not come at a better time.
