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Even though their season came to an early and disappointing end, the Buffalo Bills’ offseason needs 2022 show the big picture. This team barely needs anything and they’ll be Super Bowl contenders for years to come if they keep this core together.
Bills offseason needs 2022
Josh Allen proved that he can perform at the highest level come playoff time. And, while their defense left a lot to be desired in the final game of the season, they were still the top-ranked unit throughout the campaign. That being said, the Bills’ offseason moves might as well be minor, yet quite impactful.
Sean McDermott has one of the best young quarterbacks in the league under his command. The Bills’ explosive offense and tough, physical defense promises to keep them at the top of the AFC East for the next five years or so. And they would’ve beaten every other team in the league if it wasn’t for Mahomes’ miracle comeback.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at what’s to come for the Buffalo Bills in the offseason. Who’s going to stay? Who’ll leave? What about the coaching staff? What do they need to do to come back stronger next season? Let’s break it down.
Upcoming Bills free agents
The Bills will have as many as 41 players under contract for next season, so most of their core will be back. Besides then, G Ryan Bates is an unrestricted free agent, while LB Tyrel Dodson is an exclusive rights free agent.
Then, G Ike Boettger, CB Levi Wallace, RB Taiwan Jones, DE Efe Obada, WR Isaiah McKenzie, RB Matt Breida, QB Mitchell Trubisky, DT Harrison Phillips, DT Justin Zimmer, S Siran Neal, DE Jerry Hughes, DE Mario Addison, DT Vernon Butler, and WR Emmanuel Sanders will all be upcoming Bills free agents.
Buffalo will have the eighth-least money available around the league. With just north of $7.5 million, it’s unlikely that they make any big-name signings. Also, judging by the latest Bills trade news, it doesn’t seem like they’ll pursue any high-profile players either. They can save some around $6 million by parting ways with Cole Beasley, just over $5 million by releasing A.J. Klein, and $8.5 million if they release Mitch Morse.
Bills could go through a major shake-up
But more than that, the biggest change that could come for the Bills might well happen in the coaching staff. OC Brian Daboll has gauged a lot of interest around the league and is expected to get a head coaching position sooner rather than later.
The Bills also had the number one defense in the league, meaning that Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier could also be on the move. Frazier and Daboll have been with the team since 2017 and 2018 respectively, so their departures could be a major issue for Sean McDermott going forward. QB coach Ken Dorsey could fill in for Daboll, but replacing Frazier won’t be an easy task.
Where do the Bills need to strengthen?
In reality, the Bills were one coin toss away from reaching the AFC Championship Game, so it’s not like they have a lot of offseason needs. They have one of the best wideouts in the game in Stefon Diggs but could add another slot receiver if they part ways with Cole Beasley.
Also, their running game has been pedestrian at best for years now. Then again, that’s mostly by design given how much trust Daboll and McDermott have on Josh Allen. So, besides their obvious need for WR depth, they could try and address that, too Buffalo could also look for help in the DT, G, and CB departments, but that would be complicated given their limited cap space.
