As the 2022 NFL season draws to a close, eyes are turning toward 2023. Though the future is uncertain, with Free Agency and the NFL Draft still to come, expectations are building. While the past two seasons have not ended how Buffalo Bills fans would have hoped, 2023 presents new opportunities and these are 4 reasons to be optimistic about the upcoming season.
4 reasons for optimism about the Buffalo Bills in 2023
Josh Allen’s Cap Hit
Josh Allen’s cap hit will grow from $16 Million to around $40 Million, which sounds like bad news. However, in the context of the rest of the league, this contract is beginning to look like a bargain.
Currently, Allen’s deal ranks 6th in terms of Average Annual Value (Behind players like Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, and Kyler Murray). With the 2020 Quarterback Draft Class becoming eligible for extensions this offseason, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, Daniel Jones, and Lamar Jackson will push the ceiling of Quarterback contracts.
So while Allen’s cap number might be increasing, his contract will shrink towards the 10th highest Average Annual Value, and maybe even beyond. I don’t need to explain why having a Quarterback of Allen’s caliber at a fringe Top-10 rate is an incredible deal.