The Buffalo Bills are currently at a crossroads regarding a number of significant defensive free agents whose contracts have expired. With salary cap limitations and anticipated market values complicating the picture, the team must decide whether to re-sign these contributors or seek replacements before the next season begins.
ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell recently assessed the potential contract demands of Buffalo’s defensive free agents, underlining the difficult choices confronting the Bills’ front office as they prepare for the offseason.
Impact of Veteran Edge Rusher Joey Bosa
Joey Bosa, acquired on a one-year contract as a last-minute reinforcement for the defensive line, showed uneven production throughout the season. His sack totals dropped notably, with just a single sack recorded during the final nine games, including the playoffs.
Bosa was leading the league in pass rush win rate earlier in the season before slowing down; he also made virtually no impact against the run, though that was a problem for the Bills on a teamwide basis,
Barnwell wrote.
Turning 31 this July, Bosa’s future with the Bills remains unsettled. Barnwell predicts his next deal could range from $15 million to $23 million annually, reflecting his mixed performance and age.
Players on the Cusp of Starting Roles
Edge rusher A.J. Epenesa and linebacker Matt Milano are both pivotal pieces within Buffalo’s defensive front seven, yet both are considered replaceable for distinct reasons. Epenesa experienced a downturn last season, recording only 2.5 sacks and 32 tackles over 16 games, marking a significant dip from previous years.
Milano is still efficient, but the Bills’ linebacker doesn’t have the same range he did several years ago, and he has missed 30 games over the past three years,
Barnwell noted about the former All-Pro.
Contract projections for Epenesa fall between $6 million and $15 million per year, whereas Milano’s range is estimated at $2.5 million to $7 million annually, indicating the financial considerations Buffalo must weigh for these key contributors.
Depth Options with Guaranteed Contract Portions
In addition to starters and near-starters, the Bills have a group of defensive backs and front-seven players who serve as reliable backups but hold guaranteed contract components. This group features cornerbacks Tre’Davious White and Cam Lewis, safeties Damar Hamlin and Darnell Savage, defensive tackles DaQuan Jones and Larry Ogunjobi, plus linebacker Shaq Thompson.
White appeared to be on his way out of the league last season and might not have been in the starting lineup if first-round pick Maxwell Hairston was healthy enough to play at the beginning of the season,
Barnwell observed.
But the veteran started 16 games and allowed a minus-9.7% completion percentage over expectation (CPOE), the third-best mark in the NFL among starting corners.
The expected salaries for these seven players range broadly from $1.5 million to $7 million per year, with cornerbacks generally earning toward the higher end due to their positional value and performance.
Balancing Retention and Renewal on Defense
The Bills face a significant challenge in maintaining the balance of their defensive unit given the combination of cap restrictions and the varied market expectations for their free agents. Replacing the lost production from departing players may prove difficult, requiring a careful and strategic approach to free-agent negotiations and draft preparations.
Decisions made in this offseason will directly impact Buffalo’s defensive strength and depth going forward, influencing the team’s competitiveness in the league. The Bills must weigh experience against salary demands and consider the potential of younger players stepping into larger roles as they build toward the future.
