Did the Bills Just Let a Weapon Walk Away?
Last season, the Buffalo Bills went all in on a “spread the ball around” strategy after parting ways with star wideouts Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. It mostly worked — the passing game stayed strong — but there’s one move that might already be biting them.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Yep, that speedy former Packers deep threat the Bills picked up… and then let go midseason? That one.
Buffalo never figured out how to use him — he had just two catches for 26 yards in six games. Then came the big move: they cut him in October to make room for Amari Cooper. Seemed like a smart play at the time.
Spoiler: It wasn’t.
Valdes-Scantling signed with the Saints and immediately showed out — 17 catches, 385 yards, 4 TDs in just eight games. Now, he’s landed with the Seahawks, and by all accounts, he’s basically a lock to make the final roster. Seattle’s planning to use him in a system similar to Buffalo’s — heavy on spreading the ball and keeping defenses guessing. So yeah, he’s going to eat.
Meanwhile, Amari Cooper — the guy Buffalo picked over MVS — didn’t exactly light it up. Some solid moments, sure. But also some complete vanishing acts, like that zero-target game vs. the Lions. The Bills let him walk this offseason, and though GM Brandon Beane hasn’t ruled out bringing him back, it’s been crickets on that front. And for what it’s worth, ESPN says Cooper’s slowing down a bit.
So now the Bills are staring at this:
They cut a receiver who’s clicking in a new offense… for one who’s no longer on the team. Not exactly a W.
It’s rare for Beane and Buffalo’s front office to whiff on personnel decisions, but this one? Could end up being a “yeah, we blew it” kind of moment.
