Bills GM Brandon Beane could be about to get the last laugh after an unexpected free agency victory
Not a bad spot to be this time of year.
The Buffalo Bills had been relatively quiet through the offseason and free agency periods, until they weren’t. It all started when cornerback Dee Alford joined the organization, quickly followed by the addition of EDGE Bradley Chubb. Then it was safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone joining in on the fun, and after a busy first wave of free agency, Buffalo is sitting pretty.
Before free agency could even begin, Buffalo made a splash by trading for former Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore, giving quarterback Josh Allen a true No. 1 wide receiver and raising the ceiling of the entire wide receiving room. They also, in a rather surprising move, brought back center Connor McGovern after it was reported that the two sides weren’t close to a deal.
By the time the first wave of free agency had ended, Buffalo’s roster looked like one of the best in the league, and Bleacher Report couldn’t agree more. It recently published an article ranking the best rosters after the first wave of free agency, and Buffalo landed at No. 3 overall. They fell behind the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams in the official rankings.
General manager Brandon Beane could get the last laugh with the latest rankings, after taking his fair share of criticism for how he’s constructed the roster.
Bleacher Report has Buffalo No. 3 in terms of best roster after the first wave of free agency
“Buffalo acquired wideout DJ Moore from the Chicago Bears. He’s not a high-end No. 1 receiver, but he brings an explosive element to the Bills’ aerial attack. The club also has two Pro Bowl offensive linemen in Dion Dawkins and Connor McGovern, who are integral to the success of the passing and run game.
“Buffalo signed edge-rusher Bradley Chubb, versatile defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson and safety Geno Stone. All three will likely take on big roles on the defensive side of the ball.
“The Bills have suffered playoff heartbreak year after year, but their loaded rosters are the reason they’ve been Super Bowl contenders. Chubb, Gardner-Johnson and Stone could help them find a breakthrough.” – Moe Moton
Moton also highlights the obvious: quarterback Josh Allen and running back James Cook. Since the 202 season, Allen has led an offense that’s ranked sixth or better in scoring. Cook led the league in rushing in 2025 and led the league in rushing touchdowns in 2024.
I would argue that Buffalo should be swapped with the Denver Broncos on this list, but that just might be some bitterness from the divisional round game seeping in. Despite what social media warriors might say, Buffalo has a strong roster, and they’ve spent the offseason continuing to make it even more competitive.
Buffalo was one bad call away from an AFC Championship appearance, and the team is doing everything it can to get over the hump and make it to the big game. It’s easy to win on paper this time of year; all that really matters is once actual football is being played, did the Bills do enough to get better, or is it going to be another year of heartbreak?
That’s the question that will define everything in Buffalo this season.
The front office pushed the right buttons. The roster looks loaded. The expectations are sky-high once again. But none of it will matter if it ends the same way it always has.
This version of the Bills has the talent to change the story; now it’s on them to finally finish it.