Allen, Moore show signs of bringing back big-play dimension to Bills offence

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — After months of seeking to develop an on-field connection with receiver DJ Moore during the Buffalo Bills spring practices, Josh Allen concluded he might be the one holding up the process.

Too often, Allen realized he was doing too much in attempting to impress the newly acquired veteran by aiming or even forcing the ball Moore’s way. So on the first day of training camp, Allen informed Moore about trying a different approach.

“I felt myself trying to be perfect when I’m throwing to him,” Allen said.

“So I walked to him and said, ‘I’m just going to throw it. I’m just going to pick a spot and let it go. I’m not going to aim it anymore,'” he added. “And I feel once I said that, things kind of clicked for us.”

The revelation and the duo’s newfound rapport was no more evident than during a team drill on the fifth day of camp.

With time in the pocket, Allen glanced to his left in seeing Moore running at full speed and gaining a sliver of separation against three of Buffalo’s best defenders. Without hesitation, Allen heaved a spiral which Moore brought in over his shoulder with two out-stretched hands, and without breaking stride before tumbling to the turf for a would-be 60-yard touchdown.

Allen called it “one of the better or more impressive catches and throws that I’ve made.” His only regret was that it didn’t happen during an actual game.

“My confidence is high, regardless,” Moore said. “Now, I just know he’s going to let it rip and I just got to be there at a certain spot.”

With one crowd-buzzing moment, the play represented why the Bills acquired Moore in trading a second-round pick to Chicago in March. And it also signaled what may well be the return of the big-play dimension Buffalo’s offence has lacked in the two seasons since Stefon Diggs’ departure.

However much the Bills bought into the so-called “everybody eats” spread-the-ball approach to the passing game minus Diggs, Moore’s addition places him at the head of the table.

First-year head coach Joe Brady avoided the suggestion of Moore representing a philosophical departure from the group of receivers he oversaw over the past two seasons as Buffalo's coordinator.

And yet, Brady acknowledged Moore bringing a new dimension to the offence.

“There’s a reason we wanted him,” Brady said in detailing Moore's speed, route-running technique and leadership. “Look, it’s training camp, right? We haven’t played a damn game yet. But you can feel him out there on the football field.”

Though older by NFL receiver standards, the 29-year-old Moore has an accomplished resume entering his ninth season. He’s topped 1,100 yards receiving four times, including a career-best 1,364 yards and eight TDs in 2023, Moore’s first season in Chicago.