Bills' tough offseason situation could be a blessing in disguise
The Buffalo Bills have a long list of players set to become free agents in the league's new year in March. But General Manager Brandon Beane is right when warning fans about a different kind of offseason. After all, the Bills are projected to be $16 million over the cap. That's a problem, especially when […]
The Buffalo Bills have a long list of players set to become free agents in the league's new year in March. But General Manager Brandon Beane is right when warning fans about a different kind of offseason.
After all, the Bills are projected to be $16 million over the cap. That's a problem, especially when you have guys like safety Jordan Poyer and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds with one foot out the door.
Since the season came to an end in the Buffalo snow after losing to the Cincinnati Bengals in the Divisional Round, the focus has shifted toward the personnel of the team.
That's a lot of starting-caliber players. But according to a recent Pro Football Focus article listing the "buyer-beware" players of this free agency class, the Bills' salary cap situation might be a blessing in disguise.
In the article, Sam Monson argues that Tremaine Edmunds is coming off a career year and that it's difficult to bet on him playing at the same level beyond 2022:
"The problem is that over the previous four years, (Edmunds') average PFF coverage grade was 47.4 and got worse each year. Does this season represent the light switch going on for a young player with a lot of starting experience? Or does it represent merely a high-water mark that he is unlikely to get near again?"
This type of situation is nothing new in the NFL. Players have career highs in contract years all the time. Edmunds was no exception.
If the Bills can't find a way to make him stick around, maybe that's some consolation for Buffalo fans. After all, tying a large portion of the salary cap to a player with risky future prospects is never advisable.
If the Bills had the cap space, perhaps Edmunds would get an extension no questions asked.
The article also lists safety Jordan Poyer but under the "disappointing year" category. There are some fair concerns about Poyer's age. Playing safety in the NFL takes a toll on these guys and the Bills star will be 32 years old.
The Bills face a unique challenge in 2023. On the one hand, Josh Allen's contract will force the front office to make some salary cap gymnastics to make things work.
On the other, it became clear with another Divisional Round exit that the Bills must take a step forward roster-wise.
It's going to be a gigantic offseason for GM Brandon Beane as he attempts to get the ever-eluding Super Bowl.
Featured image via Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
