After two seasons on the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad, wide receiver Tyrell Shavers has made the team’s initial 53-man roster. Shavers, who went undrafted in 2023, faced disappointment in his first two training camps with the team but continued to work toward a spot on the active roster.
“It was kind of surreal,” Shavers said. “I honestly feel like it still hasn’t fully processed. This is something I’ve been working for since I started playing football when I was 4 years old. I always dreamed of playing in the NFL. So, making the 53 is honestly one of the biggest achievements ever — besides my daughter being born.”
On Tuesday, Shavers was officially named to the active roster after final cuts were made. He spent the day with his wife and daughter as he awaited news from team officials.
“I probably woke up at like 4 a.m., just sitting there, waiting. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t lay down,” Shavers said. “But luckily, my little girl was there, so I was able to take care of her. She took my mind off it, too.”
Shavers focused on being prepared for any situation during this year’s training camp and emphasized learning from previous disappointments.
“Last year, I kind of felt like I made it, but I didn’t,” he said. “That moment taught me you never know what’s going to happen, and to stay on my toes.”
He contributed during preseason by making difficult catches and participating on special teams to demonstrate his versatility.
“I’m able to do any and everything that was asked of me. Whether it’s a big guy’s job or a little guy’s job, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “Just being where I’m asked, whenever.”
Wide receivers coach Adam Henry acknowledged Shavers’ perseverance: “He was unwavering, and he stayed the course,” Henry said. “I know it was hard, but he stayed calm. I watched him show up every day, be professional and give it his all. He is a very deserving young man.”
Shavers credited teammates Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir for their support throughout training camp.
“Keon (Coleman), for sure he’s like my little brother. He keeps me going, keeps me energized, keeps me on my toes,” Shavers said. “And Khalil (Shakir), obviously, being the leader of the room he’s always in my ear telling me to keep working, keep going.”
Khalil Shakir expressed happiness upon hearing that Shavers had made the team: “Since he’s gotten here, he’s done nothing but keep his head down and work,” Shakir said. “The dude’s a dog. He shows that every single day. He belongs here. When I saw his name, it made me smile.”
Keon Coleman also praised Shavers’ determination: “It’s just a lot of sheer determination on his part a lot of hard work, dedication. First guy in here, last guy out type of guy,” he said. “That dude is self-motivated. I’m proud. We were bred from the same cloth. It’s a dog-eat-dog world.”
General manager Brandon Beane explained that keeping Shavers on the roster came down to performance: “Shavers has shown that he’s earned this opportunity,” Beane said.”He’ll tell you before I tell you — there are still things he’s continuing to work on.But we have a lot of confidence in him.Joe Brady has confidence in him.Chris Tabor has confidence.Sean McDermott does,t oo.And ultimately that’s why we made the decision to keep him.”
For Shavers,the endorsement from team leadership means a great deal.”That means everything,”he said.”That’s thenumber one thing you’re tryingto lookfor whenyou come intoa buildingwiththe quarterbacks ,withthe head coaches ,even t h e GM .So just continuingto buildthat trust,to showthemI canbe outthereanddo myjobcorrectly ,that’severything .”
Last season ,ShaversscoredhisfirstNFLtouchdownona69-yardpassfromquarterbackMitchTrubiskyagainsttheNewYorkJets.Trubiskysaid ,”Hegivesyouatonofconfidenceasaquarterback.Justputitinhisareaandhe’sgoingtogomakeaplay.He’sgoingtogoupanddunkonsomebodyonafadeorapost.He’sthatkindofplayer .”
With an official place on Buffalo’s roster secured this year ,Shaversisturnedtowardsthenextchallenge .”Nowtherealworkbegins ,”hesaid .”Isaiditlastyear,I dobelong.Nowit’stimetoshowit .”
