Are big changes ahead for the Buffalo Bills special teams unit in 2023?

There are plenty of questions for the Buffalo Bills ahead this offseason on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. How do the Buffalo Bills change the wide receiver group for 2023? Do Jordan Poyer and Tremaine Edmunds leave in free agency and how does the front office replace them?

However, the group that could see the biggest change from last year to the upcoming season could actually be the special teams unit. According to Pro Football Reference, these were the eight players who played 60% or more of the special teams snaps last season for the Buffalo Bills:

• Tyler Matakevich: 323 snaps (79%)
• Siran Neal: 316 snaps (77%)
• Taiwan Jones: 305 snaps (74%)
• Reggie Gilliam: 296 snaps (72%)
• Quintin Morris: 276 snaps (67%)
• Tyrel Dodson: 276 snaps (67%)
• Terrel Bernard: 254 snaps (62%)
• Jaquan Johnson: 246 snaps (60%)

Of these eight players, half of them are set to be free agents this offseason which includes Tyler Matakevich, Taiwan Jones, Tyrel Dodson, and Jaquan Johnson. In addition to these players, Jake Kumerow is also set to be a free agent and he has been a key part of special teams but suffered an ankle injury early in the season as well as the team’s starting punter Sam Martin.

Buffalo Bills look to already be adding players for special teams

It appears the special teams unit is going to be a priority as the Bills have already appeared to be adding players to potentially replace some of these free agents. On Friday, the team signed safety Zayne Anderson, who has limited experience on defense but saw notable snaps on special teams with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Over the years the Buffalo Bills have not been afraid to invest in special teams and have given out some of the biggest contracts for primarily special teams players like Tyler Matakevich and Siran Neal. However, with limited cap space this offseason general manager Brandon Beane might need to get more creative in terms of how they address this part of the roster.