Bills’ Questionable Free-Agent Addition Finally Starting to Contribute
The Buffalo Bills’ top free-agent acquisition of the offseason is beginning to find his stride on offense.
At first, things weren’t adding up for Curtis Samuel. Despite being seen as a good fit for the Bills’ offensive scheme, he had just 12 catches through the first nine weeks of the season. The once-promising playmaker had become an afterthought, rather than the dynamic weapon expected to challenge defenses with his speed and experience.
The Bills signed Samuel to a three-year, $24 million contract this offseason after letting Gabe Davis leave in free agency and trading away Stefon Diggs. The expectation was that Samuel would step into a major role on offense.
Excitement was high when Samuel’s best statistical season—2020—came under the coaching of Bills’ offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who was with the Carolina Panthers at the time. The idea of reuniting Samuel with Brady and having Josh Allen as the quarterback seemed like a perfect fit.
However, Samuel’s start in Buffalo was puzzlingly slow, averaging just 18 offensive snaps per game in his first eight appearances. Injuries likely played a part, as a turf toe issue from the preseason lingered into the regular season, followed by a shoulder injury in Week 8 against the Tennessee Titans.
Thankfully for the Bills, Samuel now appears to be fully healthy and is starting to show why they brought him in.
Over the past two weeks, his playing time and production have increased significantly. He’s logged 110 offensive snaps in those games, compared to just 147 in his first eight outings combined.
“Curtis Samuel, two weeks in a row, showed up and really contributed to the win,” said head coach Sean McDermott after a 30-21 victory over the previously unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs.
The 28-year-old wideout caught four passes against the Indianapolis Colts, then followed it up with five receptions and his first touchdown as a Bill in the win over the Chiefs.
“Good to get him going,” McDermott added. “Like I said last week, he’s been playing through some injuries, but he’s still producing.”
Samuel’s performance is starting to resemble the playmaking ability that helped him rack up over 1,000 scrimmage yards with the Panthers in 2020. In four of his five seasons before joining the Bills, Samuel had at least 613 receiving yards.
“I think part of it is just him remembering how good of a player he is,” McDermott said. “He’s playing with confidence now, and he made some big plays for us tonight—especially that touchdown in the fourth quarter. He’s tough and mentally strong, and those are two great qualities.”
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