NFL Analyst Questions Bills’ Offseason Baseline Changes

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane has made a concerted effort to extend his team’s championship window during the 2024 NFL offseason, moving from several loyal starters to resetting his on-field and financial clocks.

These measures were seen by some as a step backwards; the team parted ways with players like Stefon Diggs, Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Tre’Davious White, Mitch Morse and Gabriel Davis, largely replacing those players with contributors already on the roster, valuable free agents and recruits. It wouldn’t be hard for someone without a sympathetic ear to believe that Buffalo isn’t effectively positioned to compete in the 2024 season — the team has objectively seen some turnover.

Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler is among those wondering whether the bills made too many changes too soon; In a recent article identifying “the biggest story to follow after every NFL team’s minicamp,” the analyst wrote that the changes within Buffalo are a story to follow.

“Gone are receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, safety Jordan Poyer, cornerback Tre’Davious White, linebacker Tyrel Dodson and edge rusher Leonard Floyd, all of whom have been key contributors on either side of the ball,” Fowler wrote . “Bills general manager Brandon Beane sent a clear message this offseason that making it to the divisional round is not enough. As Buffalo continues to run into Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs, Beane can only hope the new team helps head coach Sean McDermott finally get over the hump.

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“Bills fans don’t want to hear it, but Buffalo’s Super Bowl window will continue to close as the roster evolves and the seasons pass.”

We’ll push back against Fowler’s suggestion that Buffalo’s Super Bowl window “will continue to close as the roster evolves” as Beane makes moves throughout the offseason. were made in a very specific way to extend the team’s window of contention. Excluding White (29) and Davis (25), all of the longtime contributors the Bills parted ways with this offseason are over 30 and have shown signs of decline; they were mostly replaced with much younger players, which would, in theory, extend the team’s Super Bowl window, assuming the moves prove successful.

We’ll also push back against the idea that Tyrel Dodson and Leonard Floyd were “core contributors” because neither were long-time starters. Although Dodson was forced to start 10 games for the team at linebacker last season, he had been almost exclusively a special teams player in his previous three campaigns – he was a nice player to have, but not was hardly part of the “core”. Floyd spent one season in Buffalo; He started 16 games and had a team-high 10.5 sacks, but it’s hard to say a player who was only with the team on a one-year deal was ever a part of of its “core”.

It’s fair to wonder whether the Bills’ changes to their core were too drastic, but the continuity of the coaching staff and the presence of otherworldly quarterback Josh Allen goes a long way toward assuaging concerns. The offense is certainly revamped, but the defense returns eight of 11 starters, with two of its new starters (AJ Epenesa and Taylor Rapp) having experience in the system. Buffalo may not be as robust as it has been in previous seasons in 2024, but it still looks competitive while better positioned for sustained success.