Bills' Josh Allen-DJ Moore Connection Shines in Preseason Win Over Panthers
Newsweek · C · trust 27/100
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Buffalo Bills fans have been itching for a true WR1 since moving on from Stefon Diggs, and they may have found one in DJ Moore.
The Bills had their preseason opener on Saturday, a 29-14 win over the Carolina Panthers in their first-ever game at the new Highmark Stadium. And while fans only saw the Allen-Moore connection for one quarter, it showed exactly why general manager Brandon Beane felt confident enough to pull the trigger on the trade.
Josh Allen went 6-of-8 for 111 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter alone, connecting with Moore three times (on four targets) for a game-high 61 yards and repeatedly looking his way. That included an explosive 33-yard gain on Moore's very first catch from Allen.
The Bills traded for Moore in March, sending a 2026 second-round pick to the Chicago Bears in exchange for the veteran wideout and a 2026 fifth-round pick. Part of the deal included Buffalo guaranteeing $15.5 million of Moore's 2028 base salary.
The trade drew plenty of criticism right away, with Moore coming off a down 2025 season in Chicago, and with some believing the Bills could have acquired the aging receiver for less without guaranteeing his salary through 2028, when he'll be 31 years old. But none of that will matter if Allen and Moore can carry this early chemistry into the regular season.
Moore is a physical, versatile wideout with elite run-after-the-catch ability who clearly isn't afraid of contact — exactly the type of receiver the Bills have been missing. It also doesn't hurt that Moore has a previous connection with Bills head coach Joe Brady, who worked with him in Carolina as the Panthers' offensive coordinator back in 2020-2021.
Moore may have disappointed last season in Chicago, but that came on an offense loaded with emerging weapons, including Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland, and Luther Burden III. It's natural that a veteran would see his role diminish as the organization clearly pivoted toward a younger core.
Still, it was only a few years ago that Moore hauled in 96 catches on 136 targets for a career-high 1,364 yards (sixth-most in the NFL ) and eight touchdowns — and that was with Justin Fields throwing him the ball. Now, the Bills have already tabbed him as the team's No. 1 receiver, and he's clearly already earned Allen's trust.
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