We are starting to get closer to the NFL combine, which means that free agency is just around the corner (even though it doesn’t feel like it). The Buffalo Bills are going to have to make some tough decisions this offseason. Whether it’s through free agency or the draft, Brandon Beane and his staff will have to make some decisions that could impact current players.
One player that no longer needs to worry about being replaced is wide receiver Khalil Shakir, who signed a four-year, $60 million deal with the Bills on Tuesday. His contract extension gives the Bills financial flexibility but it guarentees Shakir to be in Buffalo for the next five seasons.
However, there are four Bills who have been fan-favorites for quite sometime that could watch the Bills bring in their eventual replacements, whether fans agree with it or not. Which players could be in danger of seeing their replacements come to Buffalo this offseason?
4 Bills who could be out of Buffalo after (or before) 2025 season
LB Terrel Bernard
When Tremaine Edmunds left the Bills, it left what we thought was going to be a massive hole in the middle of the defense. Instead, it was an opportunity for Terrel Bernard, who was going into his second season with the Bills, to step up and become the full-time starter. Without playing in the preseason and Tyrel Dodson disappointing without the competition from Bernard, Buffalo opted to place Bernard as the starter and it has worked out ever since.
Bernard is part of the 2022 draft class in which Beane managed to bring in four eventual starters in Bernard, James Cook, Khalil Shakir, and Christian Benford. Shakir is the first out of these four to get his contract extension. Just based on the position, the Bills have a better chance at bringing in another linebacker who can fill Bernard’s shoes after 2025.
DT DaQuan Jones
For the past three seasons, DaQuan Jones has been a consistent run-stopper who can take on double teams to allow someone like Ed Oliver to get past a defender to make a play. However, his 2024 production wasn’t great from the eye test. Jones is entering the last year of his contract with the Bills and it wouldn’t be shocking to see Brandon Beane bring in young defensive tackle talent to develop behind Jones.
The Bills did draft DeWayne Carter last year in the draft, but his wrist injury that held him out for sometime, as well as being a healthy scratch down the stretch is concerning. Maybe Carter is Jones’ eventual replacement, but either way, Jones is going to see who will succeed him after 2025.
RB James Cook
This may cause some heated conversations, but James Cook is not doing himself a favor by going public about his contract demands. The rising star running back is seeking $15 million per year, which would place him as the second highest paid back in the league. Brandon Beane spoke about this situation at the NFL combine, in which he said that even though both sides may not be on the same page now, it doesn’t mean they won’t be later on.
Buffalo operates their running back room with a committee and Ray Davis did show promise in his rookie year. At the same time, he’s not Cook.
Depending on how things fold out, the Bills just made decide to have Cook play out his rookie contract in 2025 and then go their separate ways. If Buffalo has even a single thought about moving on from Cook, they better find a valuable running back who can replace him.
LB Matt Milano
Putting a major fan-favorite like Matt Milano on this list hurts, a lot. Milano has been the heart and soul of the defense for quite sometime but he’s just too injury recently. He’s had one season-ending injury in 2023, and then had a bicep injury prior to the 2024 season that took him out until Week 13.
For a long time, he was the most valuable player on defense. Now he is more of a liability just based on health reasons. Buffalo saw glimpses of hope with Dorian Williams, who took over Milano’s spot in 2024. However, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Bills bring in another linebacker that is like Milano and eventually step into his role for the future.