After suffering their second straight loss, the Buffalo Bills have been connected to a possible trade for a five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver. Following the Bills’ 23–20 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, speculation is growing as to whether they should make an upgrade to their offensive line.
The Bills rallied strongly in the second half to level the game at 20, but in the end, Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 59-yard field goal with seconds remaining defeated them. Buffalo has only scored 30 points in total over the last two games, a sharp decline from their season-opening 3-0 average of nearly 37 points per game.
The NFL scouting staff at Bleacher Report believes that a planned deal for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper could be the answer.
An article suggested that for the Bills to secure victories in the postseason, adding another weapon for Josh Allen would be beneficial. A receiving trio of Amari Cooper, Keon Coleman, and Khalil Shakir might just do the trick.
The story also highlighted that trading for Cooper would be easier than attempting to acquire three-time All-Pro Las Vegas Raiders receiver Davante Adams, who has expressed a desire to be moved.
The #Browns converted all but $1.21M of WR Amari Cooper's 2024 salary into signing bonus, making him an extremely affordable trade candidate.
Now: $941,111
Deadline: $605,000— Spotrac (@spotrac) September 30, 2024
“The Browns don’t appear ready to compete this season, and Cooper lacks strong chemistry with Deshaun Watson,” the report stated. “Acquiring Cooper would be more financially feasible than making a move for Davante Adams.”
Because of Cleveland’s financial difficulties and the fact that his contract has been restructured, Cooper has become a viable trade possibility. Cooper was an affordable target for contenders since the Browns turned the majority of his 2024 salary into a signing bonus, lowering his budget impact to just $941,111 and then to $605,000 by the trade deadline.
The addition of a veteran receiver like Cooper might be crucial for the Bills, who are trying to get back on track, to revive their offense and mount a serious postseason push.
The top receiver’s injury marks his best start since 2012.
With an exhilarating victory over Buffalo on Sunday, the Houston Texans moved to 4-1, their best start since they triumphed in five straight games to start the 2012 campaign.
Nico Collins, who leads the NFL with 567 receiving yards, had a hamstring injury and is probably going to miss this week’s game, thus the triumph came at a price.
Collins scored on a 67-yard reception late in the first quarter, but he departed the game during the 23-20 victory.
When asked if Collins would play on Sunday, coach DeMeco Ryans gave a vague answer, but it seemed likely that the squad would be without him for some time.
“Obviously, it takes a few weeks for a hamstring, but he’s in good spirits,” Ryans stated on Monday. We’ll assess it week by week to see when we can get him back.
Collins’ injury will increase the load on an offense that already lacks running back Joe Mixon on Sunday. The season began with him rushing for 159 yards, but he was hurt in Week 2 and hasn’t returned to action. Mixon is improving, but Ryans said he doesn’t know when he will be back.
The Texans led the Bills 20-3 at the half, but once Collins was replaced, they struggled offensively in the second half.
In the fourth quarter, C.J. Stroud, the quarterback, threw an interception and fumbled during a sack, which allowed the Bills to tie the game. Ka’imi Fairbairn then won it with a 59-yard field goal as time ran out.
“It went really well in the first half. We were running the ball and moving it how we desired, according to Stroud. “In the second half … we were just shooting ourselves in the foot again, just taking penalties.
I had two turnovers and a number of read errors on my throws. You offer them chances to return when you play that way.