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As he has done so many times, Buffalo Bills MVP quarterback Josh Allen jumped outside the pocket on a snow-covered Highmark Stadium turf, surveying the field through showers as defenders bore down on him.
It was a 14-3 game in favor of Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, a game the Bills needed to win to keep their AFC East division hopes alive while maintaining a strong playoff case. Then, as Allen does, he finds a way to get the job done despite the circumstances.
Somehow, he noticed his trusty receiver, Khalil Shakir, dashing around the end zone on fourth-and-4 from the Cincinnati 11-yard line. But anyone in Western New York watching at home wouldn’t have batted an eye if Allen didn’t throw a pass to the No. 10 jersey he saw streaking through the Bengals’ secondary — why risk a turnover?
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Khalil Shakir of the Buffalo Bills celebrates a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second quarter at Highmark Stadium on December 7, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
But not Allen. With a rifle for an arm and confidence that always seemed bigger than the moment itself, he threw a seed to Shakir and hit him between the numbers for a much-needed Bills touchdown in the second quarter.
Surprised? Shakir is not at this stage of his career.
“I think he’s done it so much that I’m just used to it,” Shakir smiled as he told Pakinomist Digital about his fourth touchdown of the season, while also highlighting his partnership with Kelley Blue Book.
SUPER BOWL LIX STAR QUARTERBACKS BATTLE IN 2025 DEFINITIVE SEASON
Whether it’s his arms, legs, or preferably both, Allen seems to make those highlights every week for the Bills. After all, winning the MVP means going above and beyond, and Allen has epitomized that for this franchise since being taken in the first round in 2018.
Shakir couldn’t be more confident in saying his quarterback is the best player in the NFL, but Allen will even tell you to win MVP and a Super Bowl hopeful for his Bills requires everyone to do their part.
Shakir, who signed a four-year extension with the Bills in February, understands his role. Always anticipate the ball, even if you have multiple defenders around the snow cover, as you slip and slide on the grass.
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“In those scramble-play moments, being a skilled player on the field just to make yourself available to him as much as you can,” Shakir explained. “He’s the best player in the entire league and has the ability to make these crazy plays literally when he wants to. Knowing that he trusts us to make those catches, I think gives him comfort in making those types of throws.”
Shakir was a fifth-round pick of the Bills out of Boise State in 2022, and last year saw his best production with 821 yards on 76 receptions (100 targets). He proved to be a reliable target for Allen, who built that confidence factor after tallying 611 yards on 39 catches in 2023.
Confidence is the only way playing like that on Sunday against the Bengals can work, and it’s something Shakir takes pride in.
“I had a shallow route and then tried to run to the sideline and it got blocked so I just started running upfield. Then I look around and there’s all these white jerseys around me and I turn and the ball is right there,” he said of the touchdown.
“The fact that Josh has the ability to put the ball where he wants because he’s that good, it’s crazy. So, like I’ve said 1,000 times, it’s an honor to share the court with him. He’s amazing.”
Josh Allen and Khalil Shakir of the Buffalo Bills look on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 26, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Allen will lean on Shakir and other pass catchers to get the job done these remaining four games to secure another shot at the franchise’s first Super Bowl.
“When we’re on the field with him, it’s important that we get where we need to be, the places we need to be on certain plays because we know the ball is going to be on the money every single time,” Shakir said of his quarterback.
SMART MONEY MOVES
It is every professional athlete’s dream to get the second contract, which usually means big money coming into the bank account.
But Shakir knows that keeping the wealth is just as important as earning it. He did a fun campaign with Kelley Blue Book, the industry standard for vehicle ratings and reviews, as it highlights that he’s still driving his 2021 Subaru despite his big extension.
Khalil Shakir of the Buffalo Bills celebrates with Josh Allen after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Matt Kelley/Getty Images)
Shakir is a practical guy, though, and with his wife, Sayler, and new baby girl, Sunny Haven, to look after off the field, he doesn’t always have to get his finances in order.
“It was something that was such a perfect fit because of how they do their research and how they make their informed decision,” Shakir said when asked about his partnership with Kelley Blue Book. “That’s exactly the lifestyle I like to live, and it’s all about being financially smart with your money.”
