Every August, tough conversations unfold behind closed doors. For many players chasing NFL dreams, cut season brings a harsh dose of reality. Years of effort, sacrifice and belief can be reduced to a brief meeting and a turned-in playbook. It's part of the game, relentless, competitive and unforgiving.

But sometimes, hard work does more than just get noticed. Sometimes, it pays off.

For WR Tyrell Shavers, the effort never wavered after two years practice squad duty. And this time, it was enough. He made the Bills' initial 53-man roster.

They say everything's bigger in Texas and for Shavers, that includes his heart, his hustle and his dream. The Texas native went undrafted in 2023 and spent the past two seasons on the practice squad with the Buffalo Bills. Two training camps ended in disappointment. But in year three, something shifted. A little more grit. A little more urgency. Or maybe, it was just his time.

This year, the cut day came and went, and his phone never rang.

The dream didn't die.

"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 53-man roster. Throughout the nerve-wracking day of final cuts, Shavers' wife and his daughter were right by his side, helping calm the nerves.

"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 approached this camp with one goal: be ready for anything. After the sting of last year, he kept his focus on the present.

"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."

This preseason, he made the most of every opportunity from tough catches in traffic to blocking and contributing on special teams. For Shavers, proving his versatility was key.

"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."

That effort didn't go unnoticed.

"He was unwavering, and he stayed the course," wide receivers coach Adam 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."

The grind wasn't easy. But through it all, Shavers leaned on the support of teammates in the wide receiver room.

"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."

Shakir was one of the first to smile when he heard Shavers made the 53.

"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."

Coleman admitted he tried to sneak a peek at the news early.

"I was lowkey trying to find out ahead of time," Coleman said with a laugh. "I was trying to call Coach (Henry), like, 'Man, did he make it?' And he said, 'I'll find out tomorrow.' I was like, 'Man, okay…' But I was so happy for him when I found out."

Coleman praised Shavers' discipline and drive.

"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."

After being elevated for just three games last season, Shavers' future with the Bills was far from certain but he stayed the course. Now, he feels like his patience and persistence are finally being rewarded.

"This is somewhere I wanted to be," Shavers said. "I've said it to them before, they know it. I want to spend my whole career here. I love Buffalo. It's honestly the best thing ever."

General manager Brandon Beane said the decision to keep Shavers was not handed but earned.

"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, too. And ultimately, that's why we made the decision to keep him."

Shavers was honored to hear that level of faith from leadership.

"That means everything," he said. "That's the number one thing you're trying to look for when you come into a building with the quarterbacks, with the head coaches, even the GM. So just continuing to build that trust, to show them I can be out there and do my job correctly, that's everything."

Last season, he finally found the end zone in a game against the New York Jets, taking a 69-yard pass from quarterback Mitch Trubisky to the house. Not only was it Shavers' first NFL reception, but it was also the first time he truly felt he belonged.

"He gives you a ton of confidence as a quarterback," Trubisky said. "Just put it in his area and he's going to go make a play. He's going to go up and dunk on somebody on a fade or a post. He's that kind of player."

Now, with a spot on the team and belief behind him, Shavers is ready to prove that the third time is a charm, and that he belongs not just on paper, but on the field.

"Now the real work begins," he said. "I said it last year, I do belong. Now it's time to show it."