Back In Red And Blue: Elijah Moore Signs One-Year Deal Worth Up To $5M With The Bills

The Buffalo Bills have made a timely move by signing wide receiver Elijah Moore to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million. At 25 years old, Moore brings speed, versatility, and experience to an already potent offense that ranked third in the NFL in scoring last season, averaging 30.9 points per game. The signing comes shortly after the 2025 NFL Draft, where Buffalo held off on selecting a receiver until the seventh round.

Table of Contents

“Back in that red and blue. Time to go be GREAT. Grateful for the opportunity! Can’t wait to meet BILLS MAFIA,” Moore tweeted after the deal was finalized.

Back in that red and blue 😍🫡Time to go be GREAT. Grateful for the opportunity! Cant wait to meet BILLS MAFIA ❤️💙
— Elijah Moore (@e_moore03) April 30, 2025

Elijah Moore’s NFL Journey: From New York to Buffalo

Moore, a former second-round pick (34th overall) out of Ole Miss, began his professional career with the New York Jets in 2021. He made an immediate impact, catching 43 passes for 538 yards and five receiving touchdowns in just 11 games. However, frustration over limited usage led Moore to request a trade in 2022. In March 2023, during the NFL offseason, he was sent to the Cleveland Browns. In Cleveland, Moore found new life. He posted career highs in receptions (59) and receiving yards (640) in 2023. In 2024, he improved to 61 catches, though his yards per reception dropped to 8.8. Despite the dip in efficiency, Moore remained a dependable target in the Browns’ passing game. Over four seasons in the NFL, Elijah Moore has played in 61 games, totaling 200 receptions for 2,162 yards and nine receiving touchdowns. He has also added 71 rushing yards and one score on the ground.

Beane Defends Wide Receiver Strategy Amid Elijah Moore Signing

The Bills only drafted one receiver in 2025—Kaden Prather in the seventh round—prompting criticism from fans and media. General Manager Brandon Beane didn’t hold back during a post-draft appearance on WGR Sports Radio 550. “We just scored 30 points in a row for eight straight games. You just saw us lead the league in points when you add all the postseason. No one scored more points than the Buffalo Bills, including the Super Bowl champions. You just saw us do it without Stefon Diggs. How is this group not better than last year’s group?” Beane said. Beane doubled down on the team’s approach to wide receiver depth. “Our job is to score points and win games. Where do we need to get better? Defense. We did that. So I get it, you’ve got to have a show, and you’ve got to have something to b—- about, but b—-ing about wide receiver is one of the dumbest arguments I’ve heard.” Beane emphasized that Moore had been on the team’s radar even before the draft. “[Moore’s] a guy we’ve spoken to a few times leading up to the draft, and we just kind of put a pin in it. If we took a guy in the first or second round, he’s probably not too interested. But we didn’t, and so we picked up those conversations over the weekend.” Moore visited the team on Monday alongside his wife. By Wednesday, the two sides had agreed to terms.

Elijah Moore Adds Depth to Buffalo’s Receiving Corps

Moore joins a deep and evolving group of wide receivers in Buffalo, featuring Khalil Shakir (signed a four-year extension this offseason), Curtis Samuel, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, and Laviska Shenault Jr., all bring unique traits to the rotation. Moore’s ability to play multiple roles may secure him steady snaps. Elijah Moore’s arrival gives the Bills a receiver who can contribute both inside and outside. At 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, Moore is known for his route running and quick separation. These attributes make him valuable as either a slot or Z receiver. Moore also has familiarity with several teammates. He played with tight end Dawson Knox at Ole Miss and was a high school teammate of fellow wideout Joshua Palmer. That continuity may help Moore adapt quickly in a new environment. Perhaps most importantly, Moore will be catching passes from Josh Allen, the reigning NFL MVP. Allen led the Bills to an AFC Championship appearance in 2024 and threw for over 4,500 yards. Moore’s previous quarterbacks included Zach Wilson, Mike White, Deshaun Watson, and Joe Flacco—none on Allen’s level.

Elijah Moore’s Stats Tell the Story

2021 (Jets): 43 receptions, 538 yards, 12.5 yards/reception, 5 TDs; 5 carries, 54 yards, 1 rushing TD
2022 (Jets): 37 receptions, 446 yards, 12.1 yards/reception, 1 TD; 5 carries, 5 yards
2023 (Browns): 59 receptions, 640 yards, 10.8 yards/reception, 2 TDs; 9 carries, 11 yards
2024 (Browns): 61 receptions, 538 yards, 8.8 yards/reception, 1 TD; 1 carry, 1 yard
Career: 200 receptions, 2,162 yards, 9 TDs; 20 carries, 71 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Buffalo’s Post-Draft Plans and the Role of Elijah Moore

Following the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bills used six of their nine picks on defense. Their first five selections were defensive players, headlined by first-round cornerback Maxwell Hairston. Kaden Prather, a seventh-round pick, was the team’s only wide receiver selection. Beane explained, “If there was a wide receiver who fit our needs and was at the top of our board, we gladly would have done it. But the value didn’t align when we were on the clock.” That left the Bills with a potential vacancy at WR5, making Moore a top priority. His age, production, and availability made him one of the best remaining options in free agency.

What Elijah Moore Brings to the Table

Elijah Moore’s game is built on timing, precision, and sudden bursts of speed. He is effective in short-yardage situations, capable of working through traffic, and maintaining separation at the top of his routes. Moore’s ability to stretch defenses horizontally complements Allen’s vertical passing game. Though he’s not a traditional deep threat, Moore’s role will likely mirror that of a possession receiver—consistently moving the chains, creating mismatches against linebackers, and operating in the quick-passing game.

Elijah Moore’s Prove-It Year in Buffalo

Moore’s deal, worth up to $5 million, includes incentives. His base value is anchored around the unrestricted free agent tender of $3.428 million that the Browns had applied before his departure. This one-year “prove-it” deal offers Moore the chance to reset his market. For Moore, Buffalo is a fresh opportunity—one with a clearer quarterback situation and a playoff-ready roster. After feeling marginalized in New York and underutilized in Cleveland, Moore now steps into a system that values agility, creativity, and consistency. He has never caught passes from a quarterback of Allen’s caliber. That shift alone could unlock a new level in Moore’s career. With over 2,100 receiving yards already under his belt, Moore has the production to build upon and the motivation to thrive.

Final Thoughts: Elijah Moore Could Be a Difference Maker

Elijah Moore arrives in Buffalo at a critical moment—for both himself and the franchise. The Bills are hunting for their first Super Bowl appearance since the early 1990s. Josh Allen is in his prime, the offense is balanced, and the receiver room is deep. Moore brings four years of professional experience, the ability to contribute immediately, and a strong desire to prove he belongs among the league’s top complementary receivers. If he delivers, this could be the beginning of a long-term partnership in Buffalo. Brandon Beane’s boldness has often paid off. Time will tell if Elijah Moore becomes the latest success story in the Bills’ quest for glory.