What do the Bills' last five offseasons tell us about what's next for Brandon Beane?
With Sean McDermott gone, Beane and first-year coach Joe Brady can begin to put their stamp on the Bills' roster. The past five offseasons, however, illustrate how the team has navigated the challenge of paying high-end players, and the trend is unlikely to change.
Drafting the future face of the franchise, then signing him to a long-term extension, positioned the Buffalo Bills to compete for a Super Bowl as long as Josh Allen is their quarterback.
Each offseason, Bills general manager and president of football operations Brandon Beane has taken different paths to try to build a championship-caliber roster around his superstar.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen, right, is preparing for his ninth NFL season. Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
The challenge increased in difficulty when Allen's first contract extension, a six-year, $258 million deal signed on Aug. 6, 2021, began to count against the Bills' cap. His big pay day, along with the extensions Beane gave to other foundational players, forced the team to start working around the margins in free agency to try to find surplus value.
Some of those gambles worked out. Connor McGovern and David Edwards, for example, were low-cost signings who turned into multi-year starters. Two others, defensive tackles Tim Settle and Poona Ford, did not excel in Buffalo, but they turned into big-time contributors elsewhere.
Since the 2021 offseason, during which Allen signed his first big deal, the Bills have only spent big on one notable free agent: Von Miller. The trend should continue Monday, when Beane can officially begin to negotiate with agents for other teams' free agents. Rather than paying top-of-the-market players, he's leaning on his coaching staff and pro scouts to identify contributors who can thrive in Buffalo, like they did previously with McGovern and Edwards.
Beane's biggest swing this offseason may have come Thursday, when he acquired wide receiver DJ Moore from the Chicago Bears, but the Bills still need help at interior offensive line, nose tackle, inside linebacker, edge rusher, safety/nickel cornerback and cornerback.
With Sean McDermott gone, Beane and first-year coach Joe Brady can begin to put their stamp on the Bills' roster. The past five offseasons, however, illustrate how the team has navigated the challenge of paying high-end players, Allen included, and the trend is unlikely to change. Here's a recap, including notable free-agent signings, departures, trades and prominent extensions or re-signings.
2021
Signings: Emmanuel Sanders, receiver (one year, $6 million); punter Matt Haack; Taiwan Jones, running back; Isaiah McKenzie, receiver; Bobby Hart, tackle; Matt Breida, running back.Trades: Tight end Lee Smith dealt to Atlanta for a seventh-round draft pick.
Departures: John Brown, receiver; Quinton Jefferson, defensive tackle; Dean Marlowe, safety; Mitch Trubisky, quarterback; Andre Roberts, receiver; Tyler Kroft, tight end; Ty Nsehke, offensive tackle; Brian Winters, guard; Josh Norman, cornerback.
Draft picks: Greg Rousseau, edge; Spencer Brown, right tackle; Boogie Basham, edge; Tommy Doyle, offensive tackle; Marquez Stevenson, receiver; Damar Hamlin, safety; Rachad Wildgoose, cornerback; Jack Anderson, guard.
Extensions and re-signings: Allen; Micah Hyde, safety; Andre Smith, linebacker; Matt Milano, linebacker; Daryl Williams, offensive tackle; Jon Feliciano, guard; Tyler Matakevich, linebacker; Reid Ferguson, long snapper; Levi Wallace, cornerback.
On the heels of a trip to the AFC championship game, Beane spent two high draft picks on premium positions, edge and right tackle, following a quiet foray into free agency. The most important piece of business was Allen’s extension. Paying your franchise quarterback is necessary, but it also forces teams to make difficult decisions on when to let players go or sign them to extensions.
In 2021, the Bills also retained important players like Milano and Wallace. Sanders proved to be a smart signing, as the 34-year-old receiver caught 42 passes for 626 yards and four touchdowns in his final NFL season.
Bills linebacker Shaq Thompson tackles Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten on Jan. 11 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Thompson may have been Buffalo's best free-agent signing last season. Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
2022
Signings: Roger Saffold, guard; Tim Settle, defensive tackle; DaQuan Jones, defensive tackle; Von Miller, edge (six years, $120 million); Jordan Phillips, defensive tackle; Matt Barkley, quarterback; Jamison Crowder, receiver; Shaq Lawson, edge. David Quessenberry, offensive tackle; Bobby Hart, guard.Trades: Acquired quarterback Case Keenum from Cleveland for a seventh-round draft pick.
Departures: A.J. Klein, linebacker; Jon Feliciano, guard; Daryl Williams, tackle; Cole Beasley, receiver; Star Lotulelei, defensive tackle; Harrison Phillips, defensive tackle; Mitch Trubisky, quarterback; Levi Wallace, cornerback; Jerry Hughes, edge; Mario Addison, edge.
Draft picks: Kaiir Elam, cornerback; James Cook, running back; Terrel Bernard, linebacker; Khalil Shakir, receiver; Matt Araiza, punter; Christian Benford, cornerback; Luke Tenuta, offensive line; Baylon Spector, linebacker.
Extensions and re-signings: Tyrel Dodson, linebacker; Siran Neal, safety; Isaiah McKenzie, receiver; Mitch Morse, center; Stefon Diggs, receiver (four years, $96 million); center Ryan Bates (matched offer sheet); Reggie Gilliam, fullback.
Beane’s biggest swing to date occurred at the start of free agency, when the Bills landed Miller, a three-time All-Pro selection with a Super Bowl ring and seven seasons of double-digit sacks. Miller contributed 10 tackles for a loss and eight sacks before he tore his ACL. Beane also strengthened the team’s depth at defensive tackle with the additions of Jones and Settle, though Settle never found a fit in McDermott’s defense.
The draft-weekend haul began with a pick that turned into a bust, but the Bills recovered by selecting three cornerstone players: Cook, Shakir and Benford. Their college scouts are one reason why they're a contender each year.
2023
Signings: Connor McGovern, guard/center (three years, $22.35 million); Kyle Allen, quarterback; Deonte Harty, receiver/returner; Damien Harris, running back; Trent Sherfield, receiver; David Edwards, guard (one year, $1.77 million); Taylor Rapp, safety; Jordan Phillips, defensive tackle; Shaq Lawson, edge; Latavius Murray, running back; Poona Ford, defensive tackle; Leonard Floyd, edge (one year, $7 million); Ty Johnson, running back.Trades: Edge Boogie Basham traded with a seventh-round draft pick to the Giants for a sixth-round pick.
Departures: Isaiah McKenzie, receiver; Roger Saffold, guard; Tremaine Edmunds, linebacker; Case Keenum, quarterback; Devin Singletary, running back; Cole Beasley, receiver.
Draft picks: Dalton Kincaid, tight end; O'Cyrus Torrence, guard; Dorian Williams, linebacker; Justin Shorter, receiver; Nick Broeker, offensive line; Alex Austin, cornerback.
Extensions and re-signings: Matt Milano, linebacker (two years, $28.33 million); Sam Martin, punter; Jordan Poyer, safety; Tyler Bass, kicker (four years, $20.4 million); defensive tackle Ed Oliver (four years, $68 million).
The Bills were outbid in their efforts to retain Edmunds, who landed in Chicago, and they could not find a capable replacement that offseason, though Williams should turn out to be a solid choice in the draft. Three of Beane’s signings proved to be outstanding, though one didn’t pan out in Buffalo under McDermott. McGovern started one season at left guard, followed by two as Allen’s center. Edwards, meanwhile, filled the role of a sixth offensive lineman in jumbo packages in 2023, before he became an above-average starter at left guard in 2024 and 2025. Ford appeared in just eight games with the Bills, but he’s since had back-to-back impressive seasons with the Chargers and Rams. Floyd also gave Buffalo double-digit sacks to help the Bills recover from Miller’s injury.
Though half of the Bills’ draft picks panned out, they landed a high-end tight end with the potential to keep improving if he can stay healthy. Torrence has started since his rookie season, and he’s a candidate to receive a long-term contract.
2024
Signings: Mitch Trubisky, quarterback; Mack Hollins, receiver (one year, $2.6 million); Curtis Samuel, receiver (three years, $24 million); Casey Toohill, edge; Mike Edwards, safety; Austin Johnson, defensive tackle; Nicholas Morrow, linebacker; Marquez Valdes-Scantling, receiver.Trades: Acquired fifth-round draft pick from Chicago for guard Ryan Bates; traded receiver Stefon Diggs, a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick to Houston for a second-round pick in 2025; acquired cornerback/returner Brandon Codrington with a 2026 seventh-round pick for a 2026 sixth-round pick.
Departures: Siran Neal, safety; Jordan Poyer, safety; Mitch Morse, center; Deonte Harty, receiver; Nyheim Hines, running back; Tre'Davious White, cornerback; Kyle Allen, quarterback; Gabe Davis, receiver; Tyrel Dodson, linebacker; Leonard Floyd, edge; Poona Ford, defensive tackle; Dane Jackson, cornerback; Tim Settle, defensive tackle; Tyler Matakevich, linebacker; Trent Sherfield, receiver.
Draft picks: Keon Coleman, receiver; Cole Bishop, safety; DeWayne Carter, defensive tackle; Ray Davis, running back; Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, center; Edefuan Ulofoshio, linebacker; Javon Solomon, edge; Tylan Grable, offensive tackle; Daequan Hardy, cornerback; Travis Clayton, offensive tackle.
Extensions and re-signings: David Edwards, guard (two years, $6 million); Taylor Rapp, safety (three years, $10.625 million); Dion Dawkins, left tackle (three years, $60.6 million); A.J. Epenesa, edge (two years, $12 million); Cam Lewis, safety/corner (two years, $3.1 million); DaQuan Jones, defensive tackle; Taron Johnson, nickel corner (three years, $30.75 million).
Imagine how the outlook of this offseason would change if Coleman developed into a No. 1 receiver. It was time to move on from Diggs, plus the Bills got the right return. Bishop and Van Pran-Granger also may be starters in 2026. Davis was an All-Pro kickoff returner last season, and he had a solid rookie season as Cook’s backup. The Bills also were wise to part ways with expensive veterans like Morse, whom McGovern replaced, and White.
Signing Samuel was arguably the biggest mistake of the spring. He had a connection to Brady, but he could never stay healthy in Buffalo. Johnson's extension also did not age well, as he began to deal with injuries and got cut Friday by the Bills.
2025
Signings: Joshua Palmer, receiver (three years, $29 million); Michael Hoecht, edge (three years, $21 million); Joey Bosa, edge (one year, $12.6 million); Larry Ogunjobi, defensive tackle; Darrick Forrest, safety; Dane Jackson, cornerback; Tre'Davious White, cornerback; Elijah Moore, receiver; Shaq Thompson, linebacker; Jordan Poyer, safety; Jordan Phillips, defensive tackle.Trades: Sent cornerback Kaiir Elam and a 2025 sixth-round draft pick to Dallas for a 2025 fifth-round draft pick and 2026 seventh-round draft pick.
Departures: Sam Martin, punter; Von Miller, edge; Micah Hyde, safety; Casey Toohill, edge; Amari Cooper, receiver; Rasul Douglas, cornerback; Mack Hollins, receiver; Dawuane Smoot, edge; Quintin Morris, tight end.
Draft picks: Maxwell Hairston, cornerback; T.J. Sanders, defensive tackle; Landon Jackson, edge; Deone Walker, defensive tackle; Jordan Hancock, safety/nickel; Jackson Hawes, tight end; Dorian Strong, cornerback; Chase Lundt, offensive lineman; Kaden Prather, receiver.
Extensions and re-signings: Josh Allen, quarterback (six years, $330 million); Khalil Shakir, receiver (four years, $53 million); Terrel Bernard, linebacker (four years, $42.14 million); Greg Rousseau, edge (four years, $80 million); Reid Ferguson, long snapper; Ty Johnson, running back; Reggie Gilliam, fullback; Damar Hamlin, safety; Christian Benford, cornerback (four years, $76 million); James Cook, running back (four years, $46 million).
Injuries spoiled this offseason for the Bills. Hairston missed most of training camp and six games to start his rookie season. Hoecht tore his Achilles on his 64th snap, which forced Buffalo to overuse Bosa, who may have been one of the worst edge rushers in the league at stopping the run. Strong suffered a neck injury that threatened his career, though a recent surgery may allow him to return. Palmer, the top receiver added, got hurt in the spring and never got on the same page as Allen. Bernard also played through injuries through most of the season.
Of the free-agent signings, White and Thompson may have been the Bills’ best. In the draft, they landed two mid- to late-round contributors in Walker and Hawes.