The Buffalo Bills have a lot of big changes coming, hot on the heels of a new coaching staff. Free agency is right around the corner, but Joe Brady's Bills need to have a plan in place.
In previous seasons, some critical errors have derailed what could have been Super Bowl runs. From the huge issues at wide receiver to their lack of depth at other spots, Buffalo can't afford more mistakes in free agency. Here's the big ones they need to worry about.
Shackled to another mediocre WR
In 2020, Brandon Beane took a huge swing, securing tumultuous young wide receiver Stefon Diggs to aid Josh Allen's growth and put the new-look Bills offense over the top. It was a hit. Diggs and Allen became an iconic pairing for nearly four seasons, and the Bills' offense was a nightmare for opposing defenses.
They still score about the same, but the look is different.
Buffalo has had no elite WR talent since Diggs departure, despite some special plays from Khalil Shakir. If they search for the answer in 2026's free agency, they won't find it. There is no receiver on the market who brings the elite play needed to send this offense over the top, so why pay top dollar for them?
The Bills have spent over a hundred million dollars trying to piece together a patchwork of usable talent, but overpaying for underperformers has been their bane. They use their resources on contracts like Curtis Samuel's 3-year $24m deal, which has paid no dividends. Last offseason, the team added Joshua Palmer for 3 years and $29m. He, too, failed to make a dent in the WR problem.
The Bills can expect to cut their losses this offseason on Samuel and retain Palmer with the hopes of a healthier 2026, but the issue remains. Overpaying for another receiver who won't bring them the results they need buries another season of Josh Allen's prime. Focus on the NFL draft or a trade and let the WR problem fix itself there. They can fix depth, but not overcommit.
Letting the line fall apart
A majority of the Bills' 2025 success came from Josh Allen, but the rest was the run game. James Cook won his first rushing title, and Buffalo found ways to move the ball without WRs.
There's no guarantee that the team finds the solution in the passing game this season. Simultaneously, they can't lose their fastball because they're busy seeking the curve.
The Bills have their center, Connor McGovern, and left guard, David Edwards, hitting free agency. Right guard O'Cyrus Torrence enters the final season of his rookie contract. This massive hole cannot be mismanaged.
The center spot has a possible successor in-house, and his name is Sedrick Van Pran-Granger. If we assume this plan fits with Joe Brady's vision, and it pans out perfectly, the left guard spot still needs tending to.
Cook is a remarkable player, but he needs consistency in support to thrive. Allen needs the same. The Bills don't need to break the bank here, but they do need to make it a priority. An early one.
Ignoring safety, again
There are times when ignoring safety can be cool and fun. Ride a bike down a steep hill, try skydiving, swim with sharks. In 2025, the Bills didn't wear a helmet, bring a parachute, or wear an oxygen tank.
They were fortunate to mould Cole Bishop into the solid young player he is today, but they need a tandem. The defense under new DC Jim Leonhard looks different, but still needs a solid starter at this position.
Bringing back Damar Hamlin and Jordan Poyer is not a plan; it's the absence of one. History may not repeat itself if the Bills want to compete for the Lombardi Trophy.
Missing the big swing
Often, Brandon Beane takes heat from the media and fans for not taking a swing. It's a little misguided, as Beane often does go for a big move. The issue is that, like the earlier baseball analogy, it's poorly done. Swinging is well and good, but waiting for your pitch is where passion meets precision.
Von Miller didn't work out, nor did Joey Bosa, nor any number of moves that should have paid some dividends.
It is not an attack on the character or work ethic of the Bills' general manager to state that another big swing and catastrophic miss should put his job on the market. These are critical times, and if a swing is coming, it has to be right.