Former Patriots Wide Receiver Signs With New England Rival

The Patriots might cross paths with an old friend twice in the 2025 NFL season.

The Buffalo Bills on Monday signed veteran wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson, per the league’s official transactions page. The deal marked a return to the AFC East for Wilkerson, who spent three years in New England after breaking into the league as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans in 2020.

Wilkerson spent the majority of his Patriots tenure on the practice squad, but he did manage to stand out in Foxboro, Mass., despite very limited opportunities. New England fans might remember the 2021 regular-season finale when the Southeast Missouri State product hauled in a pair of touchdown passes against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The unexpected performance produced two of Wilkerson’s three career NFL touchdown grabs to date.

The 28-year-old spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and, most recently, the Las Vegas Raiders following his Patriots stint. The Bills evidently see something in Wilkerson, as they signed him one week after he was released by the Silver and Black. Buffalo’s receiver group does leave a bit to be desired, and it was knocked down a peg earlier in the offseason when Mack Hollins left Josh Allen’s arsenal to join Drake Maye’s.