Khalil Shakir walked into the Bills media room smiling from ear-to-ear with his wife, dad and stepmom in attendance. It was announced on Feb. 25 that Shakir had agreed to terms on a four-year extension with the Bills that keeps him with the team through the 2029 season.
"It just feels surreal," Shakir said. "It's hard to describe, but obviously it's a dope feeling and I'm just super excited to continue to be a Bill."
Shakir said that he knew from the moment he walked through the doors in Buffalo, that this was the right place for him.
"Buffalo is a special place," Shakir said. "I knew from when I stepped through these doors, that I wanted to be here… I'm just super excited."
The former 2022 fifth-round draft pick is the first of his draft class to sign a contract extension. While he said that he could not care less about what is said externally about him, there is a level of satisfaction for this special moment.
At the Combine in Indianapolis, GM Brandon Beane spoke on Shakir's extension, dubbing him "Mr. Dependable" and that he is excited to continue to have Shakir with this team and count on him even more.
"You'd be hard pressed to find anyone, fans, players, anyone in our building to say anything negative about Khalil and what he's brought," Beane said. "The guy is a true lunch pail Buffalonian… I'm sure everyone on our team that's coming back is going to be excited to have Khalil. We're going to count on him even more, not only on the field, but his leadership going forward."
When asked about what it means to have Beane's confidence, Shakir said that it is great and makes him want to work that much harder.
"It makes me want to go to the gym right away," Shakir said. "You know that you have an organization behind you that believes in you and wants to lean on you a bit more… More motivation just to continue to reach higher limits."
Beane was reflective when discussing Shakir's growth from his rookie season through this past season.
"As a rookie, you look at what were his opportunities and then how did he take advantage? And later that year, as the coaches and Josh became more comfortable and had a good feel for his skill set and what he does best, that really started to come to fruition late in that year," Beane said. "That just took off in year two, and then, of course, this year, year three, we kind of knew how he would fit, and Joe Brady and Josh and those guys get a lot of credit."
When the 2025 regular season starts, Shakir will be entering his fourth season. This season will be his second full season with OC Joe Brady calling the plays. With Shakir, Beane believes the Bills offense will have more opportunities to grow.
"Joe's dope, man," Shakir said laughing as Brady entered the back of the room. "Career kind of took off with him once he took over, so I've got a lot of love for him and the trust that he's had in me."
Shakir became emotional when discussing how much this new contract meant for him and his family.
"My wife has been with me every step of the way for this whole process and she's my rock, so, with just everything as far as moving forward and obviously getting the news," Shakir said. "I wouldn't be where I'm at without her. Like I said, a rollercoaster of emotions and every time I get to go home and I'm struggling or I'm like, man, things aren't maybe going the way I wanted to, she's right there. So, super appreciative of her."
Shakir said that he heard from QB Josh Allen shortly after he signed his extension and that he was excited that Shakir would continue catching passes for him. Shakir also expressed his gratitude back to the signal caller.
"He called me not too long after it was put out there," Shakir said. "He was just super excited and I'm super thankful for him. Made sure I just let him know that I wouldn't be where I'm at without him and him putting his trust in me… For him to be able to trust me and to be out there and play with him, I truly believe he's the best athlete I've ever been around, so I'm grateful to continue to play with him."
Shakir said that the first text that he received following the announcement of his extension was from WR Curtis Samuel. Shakir, who drives a Subaru, said that Samuel's first words to him were, "Congrats man, now you can go get yourself another car."
"A lot of guys called me, texted me, reached out, and their support means everything," Shakir said. "I truly want to make the best play that I can every time we're out there, whether it's running, run blocking or getting the ball, making a play for those guys. So, I appreciate them."
Shakir expressed his excitement to continue to be a Buffalo Bill for the foreseeable future.
"There is nothing like putting that Bills jersey on and going out there," Shakir said. "Bills Mafia, there is nothing like it, so I'm just super grateful."
