The Buffalo Bills are bringing back a former wide receiver after his time with the New England Patriots came to an abrupt end — though it’s not the one fans might think.

The Bills announced on Thursday that they signed veteran receiver Trent Sherfield, who had a short but memorable stint in Buffalo before bouncing around the league. Sherfield last played for the Patriots and was released earlier this year — just like another former Bills receiver, Stefon Diggs — and now will be making his way back to Buffalo.

Trent Sherfield Brings Boost to Wide Receiving Corps

Sherfield played for the Bills in the 2023 season, splitting time between offense and special teams. He made 11 receptions for 86 yards that year and one very important touchdown, tracking down a deflected pass to score in the season finale against the Miami Dolphins — a catch that helped the Bills steal the division in the final game of that NFL regular season.

As the team noted, Sherfield has spent time with a few other teams since leaving Buffalo.

“Sherfield spent the 2025 season with the Denver Broncos and on various practice squads,” the team noted. “Over 10 games and three starts with the Broncos, he had three receptions for 21 yards. He was waived by Denver on Nov. 15, 2025, and joined the Arizona Cardinals‘ practice squad four days later. On Jan. 13, the New England Patriots signed Sherfield to their practice squad, released him 11 days later then resigned him again.”

Sherfield will return to a team that has seen some significant changes on offense. The Bills parted ways with veteran receiver Curtis Samuel after a disappointing tenure marked by injuries and inconsistent play, then traded for deep threat DJ Moore.

Sherfield will have the chance to compete for a roster spot, and his experience on special teams could provide an important advantage. The team’s other special teams star in the wide receiving corps, Tyrell Shavers, is expected to miss a significant chunk of the upcoming season after suffering a torn ACL in the team’s playoff win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Bills Face Another Looming Wide Receiver Decision

The Bills may still have more work ahead to shape their final wide receiving depth chart. The team must decide whether to part ways with third-year receiver Keon Coleman, who was benched twice last season for disciplinary reasons and struggled to remain consistent on the field.

Report Sal Capaccio of WGR 550 believes that the Bills could use their first-round draft pick on a new wide receiver, which could mean the end of Coleman’s time in Buffalo. Many analysts have linked the Bills to receiver KC Conception with their first-round pick, a decision that could leave Coleman redundant and looking for a new home.

“I still wonder if [Coleman is] on the roster,” Capaccio said. “I don’t know if the Bills have an opportunity to move him. I still think they highly consider it. That’s just my way of looking at it, just how all this has played out. But his status might also be determined by what happens on April 23, 24, and 25.”