After another loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship, the Buffalo Bills are set for a pivotal offseason with a lot of decisions that need to be made.
The Bills suffered yet another frustrating loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs. While this fact remains the same, the Bills had a very different team makeup this year. This poses the question: what can the Bills do in the draft, or in free agency that will get them over the hump?
Buffalo is currently in the bottom four teams of the league sitting at negative $12,605,106. This may seem like a true hindrance if the Bills are looking to make a splash, but there are multiple logical moves for them to make clear cap space.
Despite his slight resurgence this year, edge rusher Von Miller remains the most likely candidate to have his contract either restructured or cut entirely. According to The Athletic, “it could become a mutually beneficial decision between both parties to negotiate a pay cut for Miller that would yield the $8.4 million in cap savings this year they would get by cutting him.” Miller is also turning 36 before the 2025 season begins.
Contract restructures are a tried and true method for general manager Brandon Beane, so I expect him to restructure some of the bigger deals on the roster — most likely starting with quarterback Josh Allen.
Allen had a 2025 for the ages, and his outstanding play this season earned him a spot as a second team all pro and won his first MVP award. This all points to a conversion of base salary to a signing bonus to save cap money, or restructuring his contract. Allen still has four years left on his contract, so an extension isn’t really in the realm of possibilities.
Many other restructurings could happen with players like defensive tackle Ed Oliver or offensive tackle Dion Dawkins. Legitimate extensions for standouts like James Cook, Terrel Bernard and Christian Benford are within the realm of possibilities.
Especially with cap space, can the Bills create who they would be looking to sign or trade for? The current favorite among Bills Mafia is the reigning defensive player of the year, Myles Garrett. The former first overall pick requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns to play with a contender earlier this week. Since then, trade destinations and rumors have spread fast. Buffalo would be an excellent fit, but what would make the most sense to get a deal done?
According to MSN, “He’s currently due $20 million in 2025 and $25 million in 2026, but the majority of both are paid in March of those years as bonuses with him making the veteran minimum in base salary.”
We would most likely have to put together a package of first round picks for Garrett, or the younger option in Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
Crosby hasn’t formally requested a trade like Garrett but a player like him in the prime of his career will be looking to win and the Raiders are on a path to rebuilding. The team could be looking to shop him to competing teams to fill out their roster.
The other area the Bills could be looking to improve is wide receiver. Despite a year in which Allen secured his first MVP award, the Bills lacked a 1000 yard rusher or receiver. The “everyone eats” mentality may work during the regular season, but it also could’ve been a factor in the team’s demise against Kansas City.
The team’s leading receiver was once again Mack Hollins who notched three catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. James Cook was excellent in the first half but could not seem to get anything going on in the second half.
This could force the Bills to pivot and go after one of the top-flight receivers on the market. The most talked about option is Bengals wideout Tee Higgins, who is due for a contract extension. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, Jamarr Chase won the triple crown by leading the league in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns. Chase will command a lot in terms of a contract, so they most likely will be forced to let Higgins walk.
I don't feel it is realistic to get a deal done for Higgins, despite Chase’s outstanding play. Higgins has established himself among the best leagues and a contract is going to be steep, and the Bills likely can’t afford such a contract.
A more under the radar option could reside in two receivers in similar situations: Jets’ wideout Garrett Wilson and Seahawks’ D.K. Metcalf.
These players come with an asterisk, since neither have requested a trade but the circumstances surrounding both teams could end their tenures. Wilson has been an underrated star with poor/ mediocre quarterback play. This could lead to him requesting a trade with hopes of playing with the NFL’s reigning MVP.
Metcalf is another option who had his role diminished since young wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a breakout season. Metcalf had a rough year full of injury and could be looking for a fresh start on a team that simply cannot get over the top.
Crosby would fill a legitimate need on defense in our pass rush, paired very nicely with Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa, assuming they aren’t a part of the potential trade package. While not as good as Garrett, he still has a lot of mileage in the tank, entering the prime of his career at 27 years old.
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