Latest news with #JoeBrady
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3 days ago
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Bills' 'Storm Cloud' Threatening To Derail 2025 Season
Bills' 'Storm Cloud' Threatening To Derail 2025 Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills are poised to be one of the contenders for the Super Bowl this upcoming season, but there is something that could derail their chances before a single snap is even played. Advertisement The contract situation of two-time Pro Bowler James Cook. With nothing substantial being done between the two sides, it is becoming apparent that Cook is a little annoyed at the lack of progress. Granted, the lack of cap space (just $1.6m) might be a big factor here. Still, James is seen as a key member of Joe Brady's offense; yet, Buffalo opted to re-sign a host of other players instead. And ESPN's Adam Schefter has offered an update on the situation, and it makes for grim reading for Bills Mafia. 'I don't believe that these two sides are anywhere close to a deal at this point in time," Schefter said. "As we enter a critical season for the Buffalo Bills, James Cook is one of the more important players there, and with a deal not on the horizon, that looms as a little storm cloud over the promising season that's ahead for the Buffalo Bills.' Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) runs against Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46), left, and safety Brian Branch (32) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Wanting roughly $15 million APY, there doesn't appear to be any desire from the Bills to sign Cook to that sort of deal. At least right now. Advertisement That is problematic because can the Bills win the Super Bowl without him? After back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and a franchise record of 16 rushing touchdowns in the regular season, Cook does his share of the heavy lifting. Ray Davis and Ty Johnson are the others behind Cook, who may have to step up, but we don't envision James holding out like Haason Reddick did throughout training camp and half of the regular season last year in search of a new deal. But if he does, Buffalo's " little storm cloud" might develop into something far more sinister. Related: Young QB Draws Josh Allen Comparison Related: Bills Three Top Players Ranked By With Josh Allen Reigning as MVP This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
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3 days ago
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Bills' Offensive 'Triplets' Land In NFL's Top 10
Bills' Offensive 'Triplets' Land In NFL's Top 10 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills' offense last season was one that consistently performed at a high level throughout the year, despite not having a clear No. 1 receiver. Advertisement That is hard to do, but when you have Josh Allen at quarterback and a coordinator in Joe Brady who did a great job of allowing Allen to distribute the ball to whoever was open, the offense was a well-oiled machine. With no clear star among its ranks, Buffalo's offense can be a little tough to get a read on, but Matt Verderame has ranked all 32 teams' "triplets," which includes quarterback, running back, and receiver. For the Bills, their trio of Allen, James Cook, and Khalil Shakir ranks No. 9. "Buffalo's offense will always be top-shelf because of its MVP quarterback in Allen and its tremendous offensive line," he writes. "Allen accounted for 40 total touchdowns in 2024, while Cook registered 1,009 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, and Shakir dominated the slot with 76 receptions for 821 yards and four touchdowns. Although those numbers aren't Pro Bowl-esque, Shakir posted a drop rate of 1.2%, fourth-lowest of any receiver with at least 100 targets." Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allencelebrates with WR Khalil Shakir (10) after scoring a touchdown in a 2025 AFC divisional-round Fisher-Imagn Images Allen is the defending MVP, Cook is a two-time Pro Bowler in his three seasons, and Shakir has developed into a reliable slot receiver and Allen's go-to option. Advertisement So, as a trio, one could say that they are easily top-10 with Allen and Cook, but perhaps Shakir needs to take yet another step in his development for them to jump up this list moving forward. Still, being ranked No. 9 is nothing to sneeze at as the Bills' offense revolves around them, and all are crucial in the proposed success the franchise will have in 2025. And the more success the team has, the higher the chances of this trio rocketing up this list next year. Related: Bills' Joe Brady Happy With Dalton Kincaid Progression Related: Bills Given Surprise Grade For QB and WR Duos This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
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3 days ago
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Bills' Josh Allen 'Starting Over' After MVP Win
Bills' Josh Allen 'Starting Over' After MVP Win originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen had his breakthrough year in 2024 as he won his first NFL MVP award, with the former first-round pick having one of his most consistent seasons since entering the league. Advertisement But that was last year. As Bills OTAs begin, Allen isn't getting the MVP treatment from his coordinator, Joe Brady; it's back to square one. That might sound a little odd given what Josh has accomplished in his career, but Brady wants to continually push his quarterback to greater heights. 'Every year is a new year, we haven't done anything this year, so our approach is you don't get to pick up where you left off,' Brady said. 'Josh embodies that, we're starting over, install one, it's the basics, and we have to master the system at every level. "Sometimes you think you know everything, and then if you really humble yourself, there's always little things that you can pick up. With a guy like Josh, you get the MVP, you're trying to just continue to challenge him. He wants it all, but every year is a new year, we just start over, and he embraces that and rolls with it.' Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh AllenTina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images So Allen's MVP win is now in the rearview mirror with the new season getting closer. Advertisement Defense's will be trying to find any weaknesses in Josh's game from last season, but with Brady's way of doing things, Allen will be a different version of himself, which makes stopping him even more challenging. With the Bills seen as one of the Super Bowl favorites, Allen will be central to anything the offense does well, and having him work on his game in the offseason, and not just "bank" on him being able to replicate his MVP season of last year puts the franchise in a good position moving forward. No one is above learning something new. Even the NFL's Most Valuable Player. Related: Josh Allen Making An Impact at Bills OTAs Despite Absence Related: Bills Reveal New Plan In Search Of More Consistency from Defense This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
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3 days ago
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Josh Allen Making An Impact at Buffalo Bills OTAs Despite Absence
Josh Allen Making An Impact at Buffalo Bills OTAs Despite Absence originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Josh Allen has had a killer past few months. First, Allen was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player - his first. Allen also tied the knot with his longtime superstar fiancé Hailee Steinfeld over the weekend. Advertisement Allen did not appear on Tuesday for the Bills' Phase 3 practice. It's unknown if Allen and Steinfeld are off on their honeymoon - that would obviously make sense - but the assumption is that the reigning MVP will be back in Orchard Park for mandatory minicamp June 10-12. As for Allen's teammates that were present at the California wedding, everybody seemed to be in attendance at practice despite Allen's absence, including backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who filled in as QB1 for practice. Trubisky, practice squad quarterback Shane Buechele, tight end Dawson Knox, right tackle Spencer Brown and left tackle Dion Dawkins were all spotted at both Allen's wedding and Bills' practice. Allen's impact was still felt on the team, despite his absence, according to offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Advertisement "What I love about Josh is his demeanor, his approach, his mindset — it is as impressive as it gets and it's infectious around the team," said Brady. Despite being named as the most valuable player in the NFL and inking a $330 million contract, Brady has not noticed a change in Allen's approach or demeanor. "When he walks in the building, you don't feel a guy that just won the MVP last year," said Brady. "You feel a guy that's hungry and is trying to figure out ways to get better. Embracing his new teammates and trying to get them on the same page as him. It's impressive." When Allen is present, he effectively acts as an additional coach on the Bills' staff while setting records on the field. Advertisement "Year after year, I'm having to do a little less because he's doing more. That's what's impressive about him as a leader," said Brady. Allen is the only man in NFL history to total 40+ touchdowns in five consecutive seasons, and he's hoping to reproduce that mark for a sixth consecutive season in 2025, but, more importantly, Allen wants to bring the Lombardi Trophy to Buffalo. Related: Bills Signing Josh Allen to New $330 Million Contract About To Pay Off Related: Bills' Josh Allen And Hailee Steinfeld Wedding Guest List Revealed This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
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3 days ago
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Bills' Joe Brady Happy With Dalton Kincaid Progression
Bills' Joe Brady Happy With Dalton Kincaid Progression originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Success in the NFL isn't linear, and with the ebbs and flows, it can be hard to be consistent, and Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid found that out the hard way. Advertisement After a rookie season that saw Dalton explode onto the scene with 673 yards and two touchdowns from 73 receptions while playing 16 games, Year 2 was a little unforgiving. Knee and collarbone injuries plagued Kincaid's second season, and naturally, his production dropped. Just 448 yards and two touchdowns from 44 receptions paint the picture of a young player who was fighting through injury and poor form. But now, Kincaid is determined to bounce back from his inconsistent second season, and offensive coordinator Joe Brady has taken notice of how his tight end is fighting back from down year. "I feel like he lived here this offseason," Brady said. "When you see him out of practice he looks just like Dalton Kincaid, so credit to him just living in the weight room, with the medical guys just getting together with them. But I've loved everything I've seen from him, he's playing with confidence again, so it's been really fun to see." Jan 12, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) is tackled by Denver Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad (40) during the first quarter in an AFC wild card game at Highmark Konezny-Imagn Images It is crazy to think that the Bills' offense last season was one of the best in football, averaged 30.9 points a game, and that was with one of the best young tight ends playing inconsistent football. Advertisement And Brady's telling quote in his opinion here? "Playing with confidence again.'' ... which suggests a major change from wherever Kincaid's level in that area was before. So we can only imagine what the offense could be and look like if Kincaid can get back to his 2023 form and develop into another passing weapon for Josh Allen. Granted, it is early in the offseason, but Kincaid is hitting all the right notes at OTAs, and if he can shake off the injury bug of last year, then who knows what 2025 might have in store for the former first-round pick. Related: Analyst Believes Bills Final-Round Draft Pick Has 'Tools' To Be Roster Surprise Related: Bills Coach Admits To Being 'Scarred' Toward New Experience on Defense This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
