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Buffalo Bills: Creating the blueprint for the perfect offseason

By Brandon Croce

ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 29: Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane walks out of the tunnel before the game against the New England Patriots at New Era Field on September 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. New England defeats Buffalo 16-10. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 29: Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane walks out of the tunnel before the game against the New England Patriots at New Era Field on September 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. New England defeats Buffalo 16-10. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 15: Tyler Kroft #81 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the game at Heinz Field on December 15, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 15: Tyler Kroft #81 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the game at Heinz Field on December 15, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Cap Casualties

While the Bills currently have the third most salary cap available in the NFL, this doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try to find additional cap space. The team has already started doing that with the recent news that they were able to agree to a restructured deal with defensive tackle Star Lotulelei.

In terms of players currently on the roster, there are three players that are likely candidates to be cut due to the cap savings. At the top of the list is tight end Tyler Kroft, who has a cap hit of $6,412,500 in 2020 but with only $1,600,000 in dead cap the Bills could save $4,812,500. The former Cincinnati Bengal was a free agent signing last year but this was prior to the team drafting Dawson Knox and Tommy Sweeney and he was never able to find a spot in this offense due to a broken foot during OTAs last year.

Another player who could be a cap casualty is defensive end Trent Murphy, which if he was cut would result in $8,025,000. The veteran pass rusher had his best year with the Bills this past season. However considering he has the second highest cap hit on the roster, the front office could find a player at a cheaper salary that could generate a similar performance.

The last player that is on the bubble is Stephen Hauschka, who would save the Bills $1,800,000 if he were released. Hauschka has been the Bills kicker the past three years but has struggled as of late, especially with longer kicks. This past season he made only 1 of 5 attempts over 50 yards.

If the Bills were to release these three players, it would result in additional $14,637,500 in cap space for this year. This will be pivotal for the additional moves the Bills will want to make this offseason.

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