The Buffalo Bills pushed all their chips in over the last two years with the hopes it would put them over the top and end one of the longest championship droughts in sports. After another devastating playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, it appears the cost of going all-in will now catch up to the Bills.
Buffalo made a series of moves over the last two years with the sole purpose of improving its roster immediately at the expense of long-term cap stability. One of the biggest examples came in 2022 when the Bills signed edge rusher Von Miller to a six-year, $120 million contract.
- Buffalo Bills cap space 2024: -$51 million
Related: Buffalo Bills insider reveals All-Pro’s likelihood of 2024 return
Heading into the 2024 offseason, Miller carries one of the biggest cap hits on the Bills roster. Paired with the litany of starters and key role players poised to hit free agency, there is going to be an exodus of talent out of Buffalo this offseason.
According to Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano of ESPN, the expectation is there will be a ‘talent drain’ out of Buffalo this offseason with several impending free agents anticipated to leave the team for stronger offers in NFL free agency.
The Bills are already more than $50 million over the 2024 NFL salary cap and they need to be under just to sign their 2024 rookie class. Even with contract restructures, there are expected to be significant salary-cap casualties in Buffalo and even that won’t be enough to create the necessary room to retain top free agents.
- Buffalo Bills free agents 2024: DaQuan Jones, Dane Jackson, Leonard Floyd, Gabe Davis, Tyrel Dodson, AJ Epenesa, Micah Hyde
Related: Buffalo Bills could cut two All-Pro players this offseason
Restructuring the contracts of All-Pro quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs would go a long way in clearing up significant cap space. Even in that scenario, however, the Bills’ front office likely knows it will have to part ways with several core contributors.
At a time when the AFC is getting stronger, with teams like the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Chargers on the rise, Buffalo’s future as an AFC power becomes more uncertain with a declining roster. While a healthy Allen will always give the Bills a shot at winning the Super Bowl, persistent issues in head-to-head matchups with the Chiefs paired with the talent exodus for Buffalo could have significant ramifications for the next two years.
