The Buffalo Bills lost in the AFC Divisional Round to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon, thus ending their season. But what’s next?
A tough offseason looms in Buffalo after the Bills fell short once again with Josh Allen at the helm. It’s tough to blame Allen for that, of course, but this is a team that ought to have Super Bowl aspirations on a yearly basis. Not reaching that goal is more of the same old Bills mentality that Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane are trying to break.
Some of Buffalo’s key free agents this winter include safety Jordan Poyer, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, guard Rodger Saffold, running back Devin Singletary, punter Sam Martin, defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, defensive end Shaq Lawson, offensive lineman David Quessenberry, offensive lineman Greg Van Roten and linebacker A.J. Klein.
Based on that list, some positions will matter more than most. Where should the Bills start?
Buffalo Bills rumors: Sign Odell Beckham Jr.
Odell Beckham Jr.’s health may be in question, but he should be good to go by next season. OBJ will be one of the more proven players on the wide receiver market this offseason, and it’ll cost a team like Buffalo.
The good news is that OBJ can be had on a short-term contract. At 30 years old, Beckham Jr. cannot expect a deal of more than three years, tops, and that would be generous by NFL standards given his injury history.
While Stefon Diggs is entrenched as Allen’s go-to target, the receiving corps beyond that is relatively barren. Gabe Davis is hot and cold, and Buffalo needs more from at what’s supposed to be a position of depth.
By next season, the Bills could have Diggs and Beckham Jr. has two tentpoles, and then Davis in the slot. Give Allen the weapons necessary to make a deep playoff run, or face a similar fate to the past two postseasons. That’s the choice the Bills must make.
Buffalo Bills rumors: Sign Evan Brown
The Detroit Lions had one of the best offensive lines in all of football and Evan Brown played a vital role in that down the stretch. Detroit’s rushing offense was led by its interior offensive line, which allowed the likes of Jamaal Williams to run wild, especially against the Green Bay Packers in the final week of the regular season.
Brown would be a welcomed addition on a Buffalo team that will need to replace some interior linemen. He has flexibility, and spent most of last season at right guard.
Buffalo has used just two selections on the interior line in the last six NFL Drafts, so it appears McDermott and Co. would rather build through free agency or via trade. Brown is projected to be the tenth-best offensive guard on the market, so he will be costly. Whether the Bills can afford him will largely depend on what their other moves consist of.
In the end, Josh Allen is Buffalo’s most important chess piece, and keeping him upright should be the primary goal. Against the Bengals, Allen faced consistent pressure and was hobbled late in the game. While some of that can be blamed on him, as Allen likes to run a lot with the game on the line, Buffalo’s interior line could be far better at protecting him when it counts.
Buffalo Bills rumors: Keep Jordan Poyer?
Jordan Poyer is over 31 years of age, but continues to play a vital role in the Buffalo Bills secondary. With the injury to Damar Hamlin likely keeping him out beyond the start of next season (if not longer), Buffalo must depend on players who know the system like Poyer.
Poyer’s projected salary per Spotrac is just over $11 million. He will want a multiyear deal, which is dangerous for a player of that age. Nonetheless, a three-year contract is doable from this front office if they can find a way to do some cap gymnastics.
Beyond Poyer, the best safeties on the market would be Jimmie Ward or Jessie Bates. Ward is a similar age to Poyer, and will likely demand the same sort of contract, so he’s a safe backup plan. The Bills cannot afford to go safe on the back end, especially if they plan to blitz as often as they did in 2022.
Jessie Bates is the top safety on the market, but seems a little out of Buffalo’s reach. He plays for the rival Bengals, as well, and it’s unlikely they’d let him walk right to a fellow AFC competitor.
The solution to this problem is simple — sign Poyer, and don’t look back.