With free agency fast approaching, the new-look Buffalo Bills have some decisions to make about their roster under Joe Brady. Typically, a change in coaching staff brings with it significant roster turnover - But some players deserve to be retained.
Even more so, some Bills who are already on the roster for 2026 have proven their worth beyond this upcoming season. These players are worthy of extensions this offseason, and no later.
Bills must prioritize giving contract extensions to 3 players
RG O'Cyrus Torrence
The Buffalo Bills have been a powerhouse rushing team in the two full seasons with Joe Brady at offensive coordinator, and the offensive line holds a great deal of responsibility for that. Their pair of tackles, Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown, are star players but the core of the offensive line has been a dominant interior trio. O'Cyrus Torrence is a major piece, an unsung hero.
He enters a contract year, this final season of his rookie contract, as the lone member of that trio confirmed to be returning to the Buffalo Bills. Starting center Connor McGovern and left guard David Edwards are both pending unrestricted free agents.
For the Bills, no player had more snaps than O'Cyrus Torrence. He played 1129 offensive snaps, with another 75 special teams snaps in the mix. He had nearly 100 more snaps than the second-closest player. If the best ability is availability then Torrence is flat-out talented.
Not only that, Torrence gave the Bills, and Josh Allen, more production in both run blocking and pass protection than half the interior linemen in the league. He was truly exceptional over the last two seasons- Letting him hit the market next season instead of locking him down now will prove to be either very expensive, or very costly.
LB Dorian Williams
Dorian Williams has been nothing short of reliable as a role-player and rotational backup. As a tackler, the Bills may not have a surer pair of arms, and his nose for the ball makes him a trusted run-stopper. Entering the final season of his rookie contract, Williams will have to learn a new defense.
The good news is that this new defense seems to be, at least on paper, a perfect match for the hard-hitter. Under first-time defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, Dorian Williams should take strides.
Matt Milano is set to become a free agent following last season's contract renegotiation, opening a spot for Dorian Williams as a starter. Even if he does elect to return to the Bills, Leonhard's defense relies on linebacker play, and there is likely another starting spot being created.
Getting a consistent and speedy tackler who gets to the ball over and over again, at a sensible value, is a smart investment for a defense expecting to see a great deal of change.
WR Tyrell Shavers
Despite his current injury status, Tyrell Shavers is a remarkably effective player worth retaining. Third in snap counts among Bills WRs this season, his play has forced him into a larger role. The former undrafted free agent pushed his way into the NFL, and proved he belongs on the field.
Extending him now, whilst he's still a cheap commodity who can play special teams and take any role asked on offense, is a wise move. It isn't flashy, it won't shock the league, many won't even notice it happened. Still, this is the time to add another season or two as the rest of the WR core gets shaken up.
His current deal, with only a $1m cap hit for 2026, is small enough to keep him on this year even if he doesn't return to form from his playoff ACL tear. Playing through that ACL tear, for the team, is an admirable trait- Shavers has never hesitated to find ways to contribute.