Tag: Cole Beasley

Cole Beasley sets deadline for retirement decision

Cole Beasley sets deadline for retirement decision, adds he doesn’t think he’ll be back with #Bills:

It appears Cole Beasley has set a timeline regarding his NFL future.

At the end of the 2022 season, Beasley indicated he was open to returning to the Buffalo Bills in 2023. The 34-year-old signed with the team once again mid-season.

Beasley did not make the biggest of impacts and that’s a bit of the reason why he has set the deadline he has.

Writing via social media post on Twitter, Beasley said he wants to join a team but only will if he’s signed before or during training camp. He cited the desire to wanting to build on chemistry prior to the season as a reason why:

In a separate message, Beasley indicated if he was to come back for the 2023 season, he personally does not believe it will be in Buffalo. The reason why just came and went: the 2023 NFL draft.

Tight end Dalton Kincaid is not a receiver, but he does make plays out of the slot like Beasley once did for the Bills.

In a separate post on Twitter, Beasley wrote:

“I think them drafting that TE in the first round put an end to that man. He’s gonna be on the field. It was fun while it lasted though.”

Prior to re-signing with the Bills during last season, Beasley had a short spell with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In March 2022, Beasley’s first stint in Buffalo ended. He was granted permission to seek a trade after off-field headlines followed Beasley during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Bills ended up outright releasing him.

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Cole Beasley, Jamison Crowder open to returning to Bills

Cole Beasley, Jamison Crowder open to returning to #Bills:

The Buffalo Bills wide receiver room became a criticized area of the team’s roster by the time the 2022 season ended.

Stefon Diggs is cemented as the top man, but he could use some help.

In terms of a solution, both Cole Beasley and Jamison Crowder want to be part of that next year.

During locker cleanout day this week, both spoke to reporters. The pair of veterans said they have interest in returning to Buffalo in 2023 and the duo are among the team’s upcoming free agents.

“My son was asking me after the game if we could come back,” Beasley said this week.

“I would love to have a full season to prepare and be ready. I’m definitely looking forward to that if the opportunity presents itself. We’ll see,” Beasley added.

Beasley, 33, was the more successful of the two for the Bills. He re-signed with the team mid-season and scored his first-career playoff touchdown.

He also might have a leg up on being back because Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane commented on him at his end of season press conference. Beasley received a positive review.

Beane said he thought he “really started seeing the Cole you saw before” down the stretch run.

Overall, Beasley’s return did not have a massive impact. His role was limited, but the receiver said that was to be expected.

“I know how football works, it’s hard to add a guy late in the season and change your whole offense,” Beasley said. “I was happy with the opportunities I was given.”

He later added that “this probably the healthiest I’ve been at the end of the season in a long time.” That’s helping Beasley believe he has at least one more NFL season in him.

Health status brings us to Crowder. The 29-year-old came to Buffalo this past offseason with an opportunity to replace Beasley in the slot.

Injury derailed that. He went down in Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens. Crowder broke his ankle, having made six catches through four games prior to that.

But Crowder thought he could have added to his totals.

Specifically, Crowder said this week he was given a clean bill of health–He thought he could’ve played against the Cincinnati Bengals, but was not activated from injured reserve.

“I had been practicing and everything, I was cleared by the doctors,” Crowder said. “Mentally, I knew I could get out there and play.”

Regarding a potential re-signing of either, two factors come into mind.

The Bills drafted Khalil Shakir in 2022 who profiles as a player that could see an increased role out of the slot next season. That’s where both Beasley and Crowder play.

However, the two have much more experience than Shakir and might come cheap considering the circumstances. Buffalo is up against the salary cap next season, so if both are willing, an affordable one-year deal for either could be on the table.

Both might be names to monitor as free agency approaches.

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Bills vs. Bengals: Isaiah McKenzie says he will play in Divisional round

#Bills vs. #Bengals: Isaiah McKenzie says he will play in Divisional round:

The Buffalo Bills might have a decision or two to make in terms of their playmakers against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Against the Miami Dolphins during their 34-31 Wild-Card win, Isaiah McKenzie did not play.

During practice in the days prior to kickoff, McKenzie popped up on the injury report due to a hamstring injury. In light of that, Cole Beasley was signed to the active roster from the practice squad and helped replace some of McKenzie’s snaps during the game. Beasley even scored.

But McKenzie is set to return against the Bengals.

According to WROC-TV, McKenzie said he will be back in the lineup. The wideout added he was “90 percent healthy” as of earlier this week.

On occasion, players will overestimate their ability to be back in the lineup. However, McKenzie does actually appear to be heading in the right direction because on Wednesday he was listed as a full participant on the Bills’ injury report.

In addition to a decision made between Beasley and McKenzie, there’s Khalil Shakir to consider as well. He had a big catch against the Dolphins himself.

There’s always the possibility that all three are active against Cincinnati–But there’s only so many snaps to go around when also factoring in Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.

In a contest against a Bengals offense that has the potential to be just as explosive as the Bills, the best way to look at it might be with a… “the more, the merrier,” mindset.

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Report card: Bills top Dolphins in Wild Card, 34-31

Report card: #Bills top #Dolphins in Wild Card, 34-31 (via @jdiloro):

Check out Bills Wire’s report card following the Buffalo Bills’ 34-31 Wild-Card win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday:

Bills’ Cole Beasley on TD vs. Dolphins: ‘It’s about time’

#Bills’ Cole Beasley on TD vs. #Dolphins: ‘It’s about time’

Buffalo Bills receiver Cole Beasley did something for the first time with the team, and in his career, against the Miami Dolphins.

During the Bills’ 34-31 Wild-Card win, Beasley scored.

Despite having spent a decade in the NFL, Beasley never found the end zone during the postseason. A bit of a surprising statistic for most to hear, but Beasley admitted it and said it felt good.

“Yeah, it’s about time. It only took me 11 years,” Beasley said via video conference. “I’m just happy it could come in today’s game and I could contribute.”

Beasley re-signed in Buffalo mid-season after retiring earlier this year. That happened after a quick stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After signing, the 33-year-old had minimal impact as he was used primarily as a depth piece.

But Isaiah McKenzie was ruled out against Miami due to a hamstring injury. Enter Beasley.

“That was pretty fun to get the ball back to him,” Allen said at his press conference. “It’s good to have vets like that.”

All in all, if you hadn’t seen Beasley prior to his touchdown, you might have thought he actually was still starting for the Bills all along.

Previously, the wideout and QB both were in-sync during Beasley’s first tenure with the team and often.

While Beasley only had two total catches against the Dolphins, his touchdown mirrored those past days. It was a quick pass out to him and he took it into the end zone for a score.

McKenzie was hurt during practice last week. It’s unclear exactly how serious his hamstring injury is.

The Bills might need more of these plays from Beasley moving forward.

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Kaiir Elam interception sets up Cole Beasley TD reception for Bills

The Bills turned an interception into a touchdown and the lead

The Miami Dolphins had the lead in the third quarter and whatever momentum existed in the NFL Wild-Card Game between AFC East foes Sunday in Buffalo.

Faced with a third-and-19 and with a third-string quarterback playing, Mike McDaniel opted to let Skylar Thompson pass rather than calling a safe draw play and then punting.

The strategy backfired as Thompson’s throw down the left side was intercepted by Bills rookie Kaiir Elam.

Oof.

It took Josh Allen 5 plays to negotiate the 33 yards, finishing the drive with a short pass to Cole Beasley, who slipped into the end zone from 6 yards.

The Bills, who had seen a 17-0 lead disappear were back in front, 27-24.

Thompson was 10-of-28 for 104 yards and 2 TDs with 5 minutes left in the third quarter.

3 areas the Bills must improve in during the postseason

3 areas the #Bills must improve in during the postseason:

Here are three areas where the Buffalo Bills need to improve in during their run in the NFL postseason:

Bills vs. Dolphins 7 things to watch for during Week 15’s game

#Bills vs. #Dolphins 7 things to watch for during Week 15’s game:

The Buffalo Bills (13-3) begin their postseason journey at home against the Miami Dolphins (9-8) in the AFC’s Wild-Card round.

Once the battle arrives, there will be a few particular things to keep in mind.

Here are seven things to watch for during Sunday’s Bills-Dolphins matchup:

Bills sign Cole Beasley to 53-man roster ahead of playoffs

#Bills sign Cole Beasley to 53-man roster ahead of playoffs:

In a way, Cole Beasley is only now officially back with the Buffalo Bills. Although, he already was.

Ahead of facing the Miami Dolphins (9-8) in the Wild-Card round on Sunday, the Bills (13-3) announced that Beasley was signed to the active roster.

In December, the 33-year-old added to the team’s practice squad and had already has made appearances with the Bills via callups from the taxi squad. Albeit, minimal ones.

In two games since his return to Buffalo, Beasley has made only two catches, on two targets, both for nine yards.

He’s only played 17 total snaps on offense, however, he was getting some in against the Cincinnati Bengals but that game went down as a no contest due to Damar Hamlin’s injury.

In signing Beasley to the playoff roster, the Bills are left with an extra callup spot against the Dolphins. Buffalo has two each game, and can still use one on fellow veteran John Brown if they so choose, but the team no longer has to use both on two players at the same position group.

In Week 18 against the New England Patriots, the Bills only called up Brown.

In a corresponding move, offensive lineman Justin Murray was released. He was active for five games this season, appearing in 23 total snaps for the Bills, 22 of which were on special teams.

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Bills vs. Patriots: 5 things to watch for during Week 18’s game

#Bills vs. #Patriots: 5 things to watch for during Week 18’s game:

The finale to the regular season has arrived, and for Buffalo, it features a familiar foe.

The New England Patriots travel to Orchard Park this week for a 1 pm EST game on Sunday.

The Pats will look to avenge an NFL week 13 loss to Sean McDermott’s club while the Bills will play for the first time since an unprecedented near-tragedy in a now-canceled game against the Bengals.

Here are five things to watch for during Thursday’s Bills-Patriots matchup: