Welcome to the Sunday Bills Mailbag. Let’s get right to your questions …
B.A. asks: I’m guessing Brandon Beane wishes he hadn’t tried to acquire Darius Slay, who did not appear thrilled to join the Bills. To make matters worse, an AFC team picked up Ja’Marcus Ingram, who was claimed by the Texans, leaving the Bills down a cornerback. Why do you think Slay said nay to the Bills? Does he want to play for a different team or did Kevyn Adams whisper to him about the high taxes and lack of palm trees in Western New York?
Former Steelers cornerback Darius Slay has so far not reported to the Bills after being claimed on waivers.
Kamil Krzaczynski, Associated Press
Jay: Nicely done on the Adams crack. We’re always here for some quality shade throwing at the Sabres’ general manager, who is inexplicably still on the job. As for Slay, he spoke about the situation on Emmanuel Acho’s YouTube show “The Speakeasy,” and attributed his hesitancy about reporting to Buffalo to an unwillingness to pick up and move after 13 years in the NFL.
“That’s a top organization,” Slay said of the Bills. “They have a lot of great things going. They win, they go to the playoffs, they got a franchise quarterback. So, it wasn’t a bad fit, it just caught me at a bad time.”
Slay said packing up and moving isn’t something he wants to do at this point. He also pointed out that Buffalo is cold – news flash! – which shouldn’t be much of an issue for someone who has played in Philadelphia, Detroit and Pittsburgh. Nevertheless, that was evidently a factor in Slay’s thinking – even if it causes you to roll your eyes. The thinking was that Slay wanted to go back to Philadelphia, where he won a championship with the Eagles, but he told Acho he was unsure what he would have decided in that situation.
Either way, this is a tough look for the Bills and general manager Brandon Beane. He lost a player in Ingram that the coaching staff spent years developing. Ingram wasn’t a star, but he was a player who knew the scheme and could contribute on special teams. Losing him for nothing stinks, especially with his local tie as a former University at Buffalo player.
For what it's worth, Bills coach Sean McDermott seemed none too happy about losing Ingram during his Friday news conference – understandably so. It seems improbable that Beane would have made such a move if he had any idea that Slay may not report. There is some bad luck involved here, but for critics of Beane, it places another log on the fire that's under his seat.
J.M. asks: This is somewhat nebulous, but if two players, one, a wide receiver, the other, a man on defense, become available who would be “guaranteed” to have an immediate impact, but who would push the salary cap, which would you pick? Do the Bills pretty much have to run the table to even have a chance at the playoffs? Do 12-5 teams make the playoffs?
Jay: This is pretty open ended. Can I get Ja’Marr Chase for the offense? Myles Garrett for the defense? At that point, it becomes a philosophical debate. If you believe the old saying that offense wins games, but defense wins championships, then you’d probably choose Garrett. My choice, however, would be Chase. In my opinion, the Bills’ passing offense has been a problem area for most of the season. Adding a player who could transform it overnight is too good to pass up. As for the record needed to get into the playoffs, the Bills don’t have to run the table. They could finish 11-6 and have a good chance of making it. They might even make it at 10-7, although that gets a little dicey with tiebreaker scenarios.
John Jarzynski asks: Of the Bills on one-year contracts, which do you predict will/should the Bills re-sign for next year?
Jay: Joey Bosa has been the most impactful of those additions. If he’s doesn’t return, the Bills have major concerns at edge rusher. The concern there is injuries. The Bills have done their best to keep Bosa healthy, but injuries elsewhere at the position have led to him playing more than the team probably hoped he would at this point in the season. Bosa will miss Sunday’s game against the Bengals with a hamstring injury. If the Bills can find a way to win, getting Bosa some rest not only for his hamstring, but also the wrist injury he’s been playing through, would be a good thing. It will be interesting to see what Bosa’s market is next season. He’s still just 30 years old, but the health is a concern.
Steven asks: It appears to me that Dion Dawkins has gained quite a bit of weight when comparing newer photos with older ones. I understand that, to a point, added bulk is an asset for an offensive lineman. But when does added bulk turn from an asset to a liability, i.e. as in slowing them down?
Jay: Dawkins’ scouting report on nfl.com listed him at 6-foot-4, 314 pounds ahead of the 2017 NFL draft. He’s listed by the Bills at 6-5, 320, so he’s gained an inch and put on six pounds. Dawkins has been listed at the same height and weight for years. It feels pretty unlikely that he’s stayed exactly the same all that time. That said, his mobility rarely appears to be compromised, even if he is tipping the scales at more than 320 pounds today. He’s also been remarkably durable. Before missing the game against Pittsburgh, Dawkins hadn’t missed a game because of injury since 2022. In his career, he’s missed just three games because of injury. If Dawkins has added bulk, it hasn't been a liability.
DavyBoy asks: This is a dark question but one I think could/should be addressed: Let’s say the Bills lose three of their final five games (Bengals, Patriots, Eagles) and fail to make the playoffs. Is there a scenario you can see where the main pieces of the coaching staff – defensive coordinator, offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator -- all get let go and the team starts over at those coaching positions?
Jay: Anything and everything should be on the table if the Bills miss the playoffs with Josh Allen in his prime. Since I don’t think owner Terry Pegula has the stomach to make a change at general manager or head coach, the coordinators would be the natural next place to look. I’ve said this forever and will continue to say it: The strongest argument I can come up with to keep McDermott and Beane is I don’t trust Pegula to hire their replacements. Admittedly, it’s not a great argument, but ask yourself: Would you trust Pegula to get it right? So if Beane and McDermott stay, which I expect they will, changing coordinators would be a logical move to make in an effort to get better.
E.H. asks: After the season, what stadium memorabilia, if any, might you have interest in purchasing? Anything from the press box? Maybe stadium seats, turf swatches or anything else pique your interest?
Jay: I’ve given that some thought, actually, but haven’t come up with much. I’m certainly not dropping $550 for a seat. Additional memorabilia is expected to be put up for sale soon, so I’ll see what those offerings are. A piece of turf might look nice in my office, or be a good Christmas or birthday gift for my son. Hopefully, he doesn’t read this week’s mailbag.