The Buffalo Bills brought in some help at wide receiver this week after striking out at the NFL trade deadline, but may have passed on the opportunity to bring back a familiar face.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane said the team tried to make some additions ahead of last week’s deadline but came up short when other teams weren’t willing to make deals. The team was expected to address a few positions, with wide receiver at the top of the list.
Beane found some help later, signing former Kansas City Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman to add a speed element that the wide receiving corps has been sorely lacking. The Bills may have had another option out there — former draft pick Isaiah Hodgins, who instead returned to the New York Giants this week.
Hodgins started his career with the Bills as a 2020 draft pick but saw limited time before he was poached off the practice squad by the Giants in the 2022 season. Hodgins went on to carve out a significant role in New York, making 33 receptions for 351 yards and four touchdowns in just eight games that season.
Hodgins also made eight receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown in the team’s Wild Card playoff win over the Minnesota Vikings that season, the first Giants player to top 100 receiving yards since Hakeem Nicks in Super Bowl XLVI.
The Giants just poached Hodgins again, announcing that they took the wide receiver from the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers and signed him to the active roster.
“Overall, Hodgins has 60 career catches for 634 yards and seven touchdowns in 31 games (14 starts) for the Bills (2020-2022) and Giants (2022-2024),” the Giants noted when announcing Hodgins’ signing. “Hodgins also spent time with the 49ers and Steelers but has not played in a regular-season game since Nov. 10, 2024, with the Giants.”
The Bills under Beane have been known to bring back many of their former players, which they did late in the offseason by signing veteran receiver Gabe Davis.
Hodgins will join a team that just fired head coach Brian Daboll, who served as Bills offensive coordinator during Hodgins’ time with the team.
Though the Bills fell short on some of their trade deadline targets — reportedly missing out on Miami Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle when Beane balked at sending a 2026 first-round pick — Hardman’s addition is expected to help an offense that has struggled at times. Buffalo’s receivers have had difficulty getting separation from defenders, leaving quarterback Josh Allen facing intense pressure at times.
The 31-year-old, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs, said he was excited for the opportunity to make a difference with a contender.
“Going through the process, I was just grateful for any opportunity that I got,” Hardman said, via the Buffalo News. “To come to an organization that’s established and in the process of trying to win one, being able to compete against this team throughout my career, I think it’s a dope opportunity to be part of this franchise. I’m just ready to get to work and try to do my part.”
CHICAGO, IL – October 14, 2025 — Caleb Williams has always been known for his arm strength and leadership on the field, but this week, his impact went far beyond football. Just days before Veterans Day, the Chicago Bears quarterback donated eight custom-designed smart homes to severely wounded U.S. veterans.
The project is part of Williams’ long-term initiative to honor soldiers injured in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other post-9/11 conflicts. For him, this is not just charity — it’s a way to give back to those who gave everything.
Each house is custom-built with adaptive technology, allowing residents to control lights, doors, and home systems through voice commands or mobile apps. The goal: restore independence and dignity for heroes who sacrificed theirs.
The homes feature barrier-free layouts, wide entrances, smooth flooring, and lowered kitchen and bathroom setups for wheelchair access. Every design element is meant to make daily life easier and more empowering.
They’re also energy-efficient, using solar panels and eco-friendly materials to reduce costs while promoting sustainability — something Williams personally called “a new kind of freedom for those who earned it.”
Each property, valued between $500,000 and $700,000, is funded through Williams’ partnership with the Generosity Sports Foundation, which works with local builders to construct homes near each veteran’s preferred community.
Since 2020, Williams’ initiative has led to over 100 smart homes built nationwide, with new projects underway in New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Many veterans have called them “a true place of peace after years of struggle.”
Recipients include veterans from all branches — Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines — many living with limb loss, paralysis, or traumatic brain injuries suffered in service.
At the home dedication ceremony, Williams spoke with humility and passion:
“These heroes gave more than most people can imagine. They fought for our safety, and now it’s our turn to fight for their comfort.”
He paused, his voice steady but emotional:
“Every door that opens, every light that turns on — it’s a reminder that they’re not forgotten. This country stands tall because they did first.”
Williams’ effort has already inspired other athletes and Chicago-based philanthropists to join, expanding the program to include financial grants, mobility vehicles, and veteran rehabilitation support.
As the snow began to fall over Chicago, one truth echoed louder than any crowd at Soldier Field — Caleb Williams isn’t just leading the Bears. He’s leading by heart.