BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills have reached an agreement to sign veteran receiver Emmanuel Sanders, a person with direct knowledge of the move confirmed with the The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The agreement is pending Sanders passing a physical, the person said. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the receiver hasn’t been officially released by New Orleans, a day after Saints GM Mickey Loomis announced the team is terminating the player’s contract.
WHAM-TV in Rochester, New York, first reported the agreement on Tuesday.
Sanders, who turned 34 on Wednesday, is an 11-year veteran and preparing to join his fourth team in three years. He’s an established possession receiver, and will be given the chance to replace John Brown, who was cut last week to free up salary cap space.
Sanders joins an established mix in Buffalo’s Josh Allen-led passing attack, which includes Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis. The Bills finished 13-3 and set numerous passing and scoring records in clinching their first AFC East title in 25 years and reaching the conference championship game for the first time since the 1993 season.
Sanders had 61 catches for 726 yards and five touchdowns in his one season with the Saints last year.
After spending his first four NFL seasons in Pittsburgh, Sanders signed with Denver in 2014, where he enjoyed his best production. Sanders topped 75 catches and 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first three seasons in Denver, and was a member of the Broncos’ Super Bowl championship team in the 2015 season.
Among active receivers, Sanders ranks 10th with 662 catches and 11th with 8,619 yards, while scoring 48 touchdowns (including one rushing) in 158 games.
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