Winners and losers after a crazy first wave of NFL free agency leaves more questions than answers
Plenty of winners and losers after the first wave of free agency.
The Buffalo Bills have been busy this offseason, bolstering an already impressive roster in hopes of bringing the city its first-ever Lombardi Trophy and finally getting over the hump. Buffalo was one bad call away from an AFC Championship appearance, with plenty of roster work to do before 2026.
From Bradley Chubb to C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Buffalo got busy during the first wave of free agency, and it doesn’t appear they are going to slow down any time soon. With extensions, restructures, re-signings, and free agency additions, let’s take a look at the winners and losers after the first wave of free agency is officially behind us.
Winner: Josh Allen
Quarterback Josh Allen was a winner in more ways than one. First and foremost, he got some key protection up front with the re-signings of Alec Anderson and Connor McGovern. Two key pieces of the offensive line are locked up for at least 2026 after a stellar performance from that entire unit in 2025. Keeping your quarterback upright, especially the former MVP, is of the utmost importance, and the Bills took care of business making that happen in the early stages of free agency.
Adding to the fun, Allen was also given a No. 1 option in wide receiver DJ Moore. Moore adds versatility to the offense and gives Allen what he’s been desperately needing: a reliable weapon.
Winner: Jim Leonhard
Leonhard has to be thrilled with the team’s decisions through the first wave of free agency. From getting a superstar pass rusher in Bradley Chubb, who is going to wreak havoc on opposing offensive coordinators, to getting a starting-caliber safety in C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the team is building the defense in Leonhard’s image.
There’s going to be a new scheme in Buffalo, and the newest additions have talked about bringing a level of aggression and physicality that hasn’t been seen in Buffalo in years. Leonhard is getting some dogs in the trenches and defensive backfield during his first season as Buffalo’s defensive coordinator.
Loser: Keon Coleman
Coleman has just been the loser of the offseason. From getting called out in the press conference announcing why the Buffalo Bills parted ways with former head coach Sean McDermott, to the team doubling down with Brandon Beane throwing McDermott and others under the bus for drafting Coleman, it hasn’t been a great offseason for the upcoming third-year wide receiver.
Adding to that, Buffalo isn’t done mixing in wide receivers to the room. Moore was the first of a handful of wide receivers that most likely will be coming to Buffalo either in the draft or free agency, and Coleman is the ultimate loser in all of that. He’s a fringe player as it stands, and with a few more additions to the room, Coleman could be on the outside looking in when the season rolls around.
Loser: Maxx Crosby
Crosby was originally going to be traded to the Baltimore Ravens, but that fell through. Ahead of that decision, Buffalo was in the running to land Crosby. He’s a loser in our minds just because he decided against coming to the Bills. Whatever trade package Buffalo had mustered up clearly wasn’t enough, but Crosby missed the chance to play with a true competitor by not joining the Bills.
We’re just a little bitter that it never panned out, because Crosby’s addition to Buffalo would be one that would shake the NFL landscape and give Buffalo one of the most ferocious defensive fronts in all of football. Nevertheless, he’s a Raider, and that’s super lame.
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