Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is giving a boost to a veteran wide receiver who was on the roster bubble at the start of the preseason.
The Bills brought back Trent Sherfield Sr. this offseason, adding him to a crowded wide receiver room to compete for a roster spot. He was expected to compete for one of the last spots on the depth chart, but may have moved up thanks to strong preseason play and some versatility on special teams — and from Allen’s big endorsement as well.
Josh Allen Gives Trent Sherfield a Boost
After the Bills made easy work of the Cleveland Browns in Saturday’s 31-7 preseason win, Allen said he’s building trust in the well-traveled veteran, who played for the Bills in 2022.
“Trent’s always been great,” Allen said, via the Buffalo News. “I think everyone in this building has a lot of trust in Trent, and he just gets open, makes contested catches. I feel great throwing him the ball. I know he’s going to protect it, and it’s just hard work, man. So, it’s awesome to see him have success.”
Sherfield played a light role on offense in his first stint in Buffalo, catching just one touchdown that year. It was an important one, snagging a tipped ball in the team’s season finale win over the Miami Dolphins that vaulted them to AFC East champions.
Sherfield said he’s gotten used to playing special teams, a skill that could get him onto the 53-man roster for the Bills.
“I think as I gotten older in my career, I realized that you know embracing both will create longevity for me,” Sherfield said. “And so, it wasn’t until even when I was in Minnesota in ’24 where I was really like, ‘You know what? Let me really embrace this. Let me really embrace what it means to be a blocker and receiver, special-teams guy and being able to fill in on all three spots.’ ”
Sherfield has looked strong on offense as well, catching all four targets in Saturday’s win for 54 yards.
Trent Sherfield Gets Joe Brady’s Endorsement
Allen is not the only one singing Sherfield’s praises. First-year head coach Joe Brady also gave Sherfield credit for his steady play, calling out the versatility that could earn him a roster spot.
“He’s been making plays, and I think he has a comfort level understanding his role in the league,” Bills coach Joe Brady said. “You see a guy go out and make plays like that, receive, and then draw the penalty, and making tackles in the special teams. He’s such a selfless football player.”
The Bills could face some difficult decisions at wide receiver, where fellow veteran Mecole Hardman has also gotten time on special teams as a return specialist. The team could ultimately keep both veterans, or try to sneak Hardman through to the practice squad. Rookie Skyler Bell is likely guaranteed a roster spot due to his draft status and the promise he’s shown through training camp and the first two preseason games.
Bills QB Josh Allen Makes Strong Statement on Roster Bubble WR