The Buffalo Bills' hopes for a breakthrough season in 2025 are rooted in several years of close calls. For some, 2025 may be their last close call — at least in Buffalo. 

Attrition is a natural part of the process in the NFL each offseason. And for a team like the Bills, with a well-established nucleus and a star quarterback to play, there are strategic decisions to make on who stays with the team after each season when it comes time to hand out new contracts. 

So, who are some of the bigger decisions looming for the Bills after 2025 who may prompt some difficult change as general manager Brandon Beane tries to keep the books balanced for the long-haul? Here are five prominent players whose contracts are up after this upcoming season. 

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James Cook, Running Back

This one is well-established. Buffalo has enjoyed two productive seasons from Cook, who is now looking to get paid like a top running back in the league. Cook has been good but he hasn't been that good. It sets the stage for a big year for Cook, who must perform above his prior standard if he's going to coax the Bills to up their offer. 

If Cook is intent on testing the market, he'll likely bet on himself after two consecutive 1,000 yard seasons and not take ANY offer he sees. But what happens if the league doesn't offer him his preferred value, either? That's where things could get interesting with this one. 

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Connor McGovern, Center

There's not a lot of doubt about the value of a good interior offensive lineman these days. The Bills have that in McGovern, who will turn 28 this fall and is in the prime of his career. McGovern is owed just short of $6.5 million in cash this season and, after making the Pro Bowl last season, looks like a strong bet to cash in on his personal development. 

Positional versatility is a strength, too. It makes McGovern a fascinating case study amid offensive guards seeing their salaries swell up to $19-20 million per season over the last 15 months. McGovern was a full-time starter at left guard in 2023 in Buffalo and played full-time last year at center. The question now is if 2024 fifth-round draft choice Sedrick Van Pran-Granger shows enough development for the Bills to feel comfortable transitioning and applying the funds elsewhere. Or if David Edwards, who is also an expiring contract, is deemed a viable alternative to stay at guard for cheaper in the long-run. 

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DaQuan Jones, Defensive Tackle

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to watch Buffalo on-board a slew of new defensive linemen to read between the lines on this one. Jones, who will turn 34 in December, appears to be entering into the later chapters of his career. Buffalo, amid additions of names like TJ Sanders, DeWayne Carter, and Deone Walker in the last two years of the draft, appear to be prepping for transitions like this one. 

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A.J. Epenesa, EDGE Defender

Epenesa has logged three consecutive seasons with at least six sacks and set a career high in snaps in 2024 with over 600. If the opportunities continue to grow, it's fair to question whether or not he's going to want to go somewhere where he can play even more — and produce more. Buffalo has locked in Greg Rousseau on a long-term contract and just drafted Arkansas pass rusher Landon Jackson to add to the rotation. 

One thing Epenesa has working for him versus Jones on the inside? He's still in the prime of his career. Epenesa turns 27 in September, so there's a long-term runway here if Epenesa wants to continue to compete in Buffalo and stay apart of a rotation without the opportunity to cash in and play more elsewhere. 

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Matt Milano, Linebacker

Milano has played in just nine games over the last two seasons due to injury — a frustrating turn for a player who finally got his due as a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 2022. Buffalo already re-worked Milano's deal this offseason, with the linebacker agreeing to take a pay cut in excess of $3.5 million in base salary to stay on with the team and then hit free agency after the season. 

If things work out well for Milano, he'll likely cash in elsewhere for one last big contract. But the odds of that contract coming from Buffalo feel slim. It almost feels as though Milano would have a better shot at returning to the Bills if he was only 'okay' in 2025 and looking for a reduced role in 2026. 

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