When the Buffalo Bills signed Curtis Samuel to a $24 million contract, they believed they were getting a dynamic, versatile wide receiver capable of adding a spark to their already potent offense. The familiarity between Samuel and the Bills’ coaching staff, stemming from their time together with the Carolina Panthers, fueled optimism that he could thrive in Buffalo. However, as the 2025 NFL season unfolds, it’s becoming painfully clear that the Bills’ gamble has backfired, confirming what the Washington Commanders learned the hard way: Samuel’s potential as a game-changing No. 2 receiver may be more myth than reality.
A Familiar Bet Gone Wrong
Samuel’s tenure with the Washington Commanders, starting in 2021, was supposed to mark his ascent to stardom. Coming off a 2020 season with the Panthers where he amassed over 1,000 all-purpose yards, expectations were sky-high that he could complement Terry McLaurin and elevate Washington’s passing game. Then-Commanders head coach Ron Rivera, who had coached Samuel in Carolina, was confident he could unlock the receiver’s full potential. But those hopes fizzled. Samuel struggled to make a consistent impact, leaving Washington with little to show for their investment.
Fast forward to 2025, and history is repeating itself in Buffalo. The Bills, banking on Samuel’s familiarity with their system and his undeniable athleticism, signed him to a lucrative deal. Yet, three weeks into the season, Samuel has been relegated to the sidelines, a healthy scratch in Buffalo’s primetime rout of the Miami Dolphins in Week 3. With Keon Coleman, Elijah Moore, Khalil Shakir, and Joshua Palmer firmly entrenched ahead of him in the receiver pecking order, Samuel’s $9.06 million cap hit in 2025 looks like a colossal misstep.
A Costly Oversight
The Bills’ decision to sideline Samuel speaks volumes about their depth at wide receiver, but it also raises questions about their financial priorities. At $24 million over the life of his contract, Samuel was expected to be a key cog in Buffalo’s explosive passing attack, led by Josh Allen. Instead, he’s become an afterthought, failing to see the field in any of the team’s first three games. For a Super Bowl contender like Buffalo, every dollar counts, and paying a premium for a player who isn’t contributing is a luxury they can ill afford.
If this trend continues, the Bills may face a tough decision. Samuel’s contract makes him a prime candidate for a trade, especially if injuries to other receivers don’t open up opportunities for him to climb the depth chart. Should Buffalo opt to keep him through the 2025 season, cutting him in 2026 would save $6.27 million in cap space—a tempting proposition for a team looking to maximize its championship window.
A Fall from Grace
At his best, Curtis Samuel is a dynamic playmaker, a “magician with the football” capable of turning short passes and designed runs into explosive gains. His 2020 season in Carolina showcased his versatility, blending speed, elusiveness, and vision to rack up yards as both a receiver and a runner. But that version of Samuel has been absent in recent years, first in Washington and now in Buffalo. His descent into irrelevancy within one of the NFL’s most dynamic passing attacks is a stark reminder that potential alone isn’t enough.
The Bills must now weigh whether Samuel’s skill set still fits their roster. If traded, there would likely be suitors for the former Ohio State standout, given his athletic pedigree and flashes of brilliance. Teams in need of a versatile weapon might take a chance on him, but Buffalo would need to ensure they have enough depth to absorb his departure. With their current receiver corps performing admirably, Samuel’s absence from the lineup hasn’t been a dealbreaker—but his hefty price tag certainly stings.
The situation in Buffalo is a cautionary tale of banking on past promise without accounting for present realities. The Commanders learned this lesson the hard way, and now the Bills are paying a steep price to validate Washington’s fears. Something is clearly amiss with Samuel, whether it’s a mismatch with the offensive scheme, a dip in confidence, or simply being outshined by younger, hungrier talent.
As the season progresses, the Bills’ front office and coaching staff will need to decide whether Samuel can still salvage his role in their offense or if it’s time to cut their losses. For a player once heralded as a breakout star, being relegated to the bench is a bitter pill to swallow. For Buffalo, the $24 million question remains: can they afford to keep a player who’s proving to be more of a luxury than a necessity?