Josh Allen builds relationships with new Bills WR corps

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills have a new group of offensive characters this year, and Tuesday was our first look at the renovated wide receiver room on the practice field during team activities held at Orchard Park.

Quarterback Josh Allen celebrated his 28th birthday by throwing to his new targets as he begins to build relationships with several new faces.

“This is opportunity No. 1 – a chance to grow as a leader,” Allen said. “Growing as a teammate and relying on other guys who may not be here but have a lot of NFL experience.”

Veteran names like Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins and the new Marquez Valdes-Scantling were among the group of new receivers Allen will rely on this season.

One player in this group with no experience at this level is rookie pick Keon Coleman, who jokingly noted that Allen likes to talk a lot, but has a passion for the game and plenty of skills to match the charisma.

“He can move and jump. He’s 6’4” and I thought he could run some routes pretty well,” Allen said. “And again, you put him in a room with Mack and MVS and Khalil and Curtis and a few other guys that we have, to be able to learn from those guys.”

Coleman reveled in his first two days working with Allen.

“Do you see who it is? I’m still a fan myself, so I’m enjoying it, staying in the moment, being where my feet are and continuing to get better,” Coleman said.

Coleman and recent addition Chase Claypool both showed flash plays during team work and 7-on-7 drills on Tuesday. Claypool caught a pass from quarterback Mitchell Trubisky along the deep sideline, leaping to catch the ball over a defensive back.

Whether they’ve been in the league for years or are breaking into the league as a rookie, it’s urgent for Allen and offensive coordinator Joe Brady to get these receivers up to speed quickly.

“Every day is a great day,” Allen said. “We don’t have the luxury of relying on previous representatives. We don’t have in-game reps. We don’t have in-game experience with a lot of these guys. Every day is a chance to learn and grow and we go into it with that mindset.

Valdes-Scantling, who played with two MVP quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes and won two championships with the latter, said: “I hope I can continue to bring good things so we can get Josh a MVP and a Super Bowl this year.”