Shenault has proven to be a weapon on offense and special teams. Sound like anyone else you may recall?
After the Buffalo Bills lost wide receiver Mack Hollins early in free-agency this offseason, many analysts and fans wondered what the team’s plan was to replace his significant contributions. Hollins played an important role, most notably as a favorite red zone target of quarterback Josh Allen, but also for his full embrace doing the dirty work on offense and special teams.
Playing wide receiver for offensive coordinator Joe Brady provides players a unique opportunity — one where they’re asked to master play concepts over single responsibilities and put aside any misgivings that they’ll be featured often and always. Some view it as positionless football, even though the reality is that players in Brady’s offense must become comfortable in understanding each player’s role.
Pass catchers for these Bills are expected to contribute as down-field blockers, and to thrive even when the spotlight isn’t surrounding them. That’s precisely why Hollins thrived during his lone season, what made him a household name and someone outsiders expected to see return in 2025
When news of Laviska Shenault Jr.’s signing with the Bills made the rounds it went largely under the radar, but for some it conjured up old thoughts about him landing at One Bills Drive during the 2020 NFL Draft. Instead, Shenault wound up with the Jacksonville Jaguars where he played two seasons before a trade sent him to the Carolina Panthers. Shenault would finish out his rookie contract with the Panthers before spending parts of the 2024 season with the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Chargers.
A once-promising wide receiver prospect had become a journeyman, and little more than a role player as an offensive weapon. A huge component to any NFL player’s journey to success hinges on team fit and surrounding talent, which includes coaches.
For Shenault, being traded to a moribund team in Carolina may have set the wheels in motion for him to land with the Bills in 2025. With the Panthers, Shenault began taking on special teams return duties.
Though he didn’t carve out a significant role at receiver, Carolina’s then special teams coordinator, Chris Tabor, saw an opportunity for Shenault to become a teams weapon with the ball in his hands. Ultimately, it was just nine total kickoff returns, but they allowed Shenault to reinvent himself — to become a valuable asset for teams prioritizing special teams play.
Chris Tabor is now with the Bills, having joined the team this offseason. During an appearance with “One Bills Drive” on May 5, Shenault explained to Chris Brown and Steve Tasker that Tabor played a huge role in his signing a one-year contract to play with Buffalo: “Most definitely. He definitely… he definitely was on my side and helped with me getting here. I appreciate him a lot and I’m here to put on.”
Shenault explained that he and Tabor have “a good connection” and a “very strong bond” thanks to their time together during the 2022 and 2023 NFL seasons. “I was with him for two years. It’s great to have people in the same area as you that you have a bond with. It means so much more,” Shenault explained.
Brown pointed out that Shenault isn’t just a one-trick pony as a return man, given he’s played gunner and played as part of the coverage units — something that Hollins did with aplomb. Unlike Hollins, Shenault is a larger receiver who’s built more like a three-down running back at 6’1 and more than 220 pounds.
For sure, Shenault is atypical to the type of waterbugs most expect to see returning kicks and punts. Shenault said that he’s “about 230 on a heavy day” right now — but that he’s looking to get back to the neighborhood of his college weight, around 222 pounds.
When asked if he’s expecting to be a four-team special teams player, Shenault stated “I’m expecting to be that guy. Whatever role that is, but for sure.” Shenault has a renewed focus entering his sixth NFL season, saying: “What you need me to do?” For Shenault, he’s concentrating on a return to fundamentals, “just go play, get back to the basics, stop overthinking things, stop trying to overdo things, and just be me and just… play free.”
Earlier in the offseason, Bills reporter Sal Capaccio pointed out that Shenault may have a significant opportunity in 2025, thanks to further changes to the kickoff rules. While Brandon Codrington held the role in 2024, it would appear that Buffalo’s new special teams coordinator had his sights set on a plus athlete with size and experience in Shenault — someone who’s proven capable at breaking tackles en route to the end zone.
This is exactly why teams have signed kickoff return specialists, including the Bills with Laviska Shenault. There will be more returns in 2025 (assuming this happens) and teams are proactively preparing their personnel. https://t.co/tr6BBrI10y
— Sal Capaccio (@SalSports) March 25, 2025
Have the Bills found Hollins’ successor? Be sure to check out the rest of Laviska Shenault’s interview with Brownie and Tasker during “One Bills Live,” which is embedded in full below.