The NFL free agency fenzy is beyond an exciting time for all fans. Not only do we get shocking reactions on decisions that teams and players make, but it gives us an idea of how the next season could look. The Buffalo Bills were heavy participants considering their salary cap situation.
They went heavy on the defensive line, specifically with the signings of Joey Bosa, Michael Hoecht, and Larry Ogunjobi. The only bad part is that both Hoecht and Ogunjobi are set to be suspended for the first six games due to violating the league’s PED policy.
This news could change what the Bills do in the draft due to the fact they don’t have a ton of defensive line depth now for the first part of the season.
In addition to the moves the Bills have made, it’s also very important to see the moves that other teams in the AFC East made, as well as teams that will face off against Buffalo in 2025. There are four notable players that joined new teams this year that the Bills will have to deal with.
4 notable players Bills will face off against in 2025
QB Justin Fields - New York Jets
Up until last season, it looked like Justin Fields’ career was going down the drain due to instability in Chicago. He got traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers last season and had a 4-2 record as the their starting quarterback while Russell Wilson was out. However, the Steelers opted to go with Wilson as the starter once he was healthy.
Fields is now joining the AFC East as the projected starting quarterback for the New York Jets. Fields signed a two-year, $40 million deal. With the Jets going into a complete rebuilding mode with a new regime, both them and Fields are looking to get a fresh start from the ground up.
There’s been no doubts about Fields’ rushing ability and athleticism, but his game as a passer is average at best. There is no “wow” factor to it and joining a Jets franchise that hasn’t had the best luck with quarterbacks since as long as we can remember is arguably laughable.
EDGE Haason Reddick - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One of the very first reported free agent signings once the NFL’s legal tampering period opened was the Buccaneers agreeing to terms with edge rusher Haason Reddick to a one-year, $14 million deal. After back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons in Philadelphia in 2022 and 2023, Reddick was traded to the New York Jets and it was a complete disaster.
Due to there being a disagreement between Reddick and the Jets on a contract, Reddick held out for nearly two months of the seasons and only appeared in 10 games (starting in two). He would record just 14 total tackles in one sack as a Jet. Now he joins the Buccaneers on a one-year deal.
DT Milton Williams - New England Patriots
The biggest name of the free agent market of course comes to the AFC East and joins the New England Patriots. Defensive tackle Milton Williams was given a four-year, $104 million deal to join a Patriots team that could ultimately be one of the best defensive teams based on what they have done in free agency.
Williams had a strong playoff run with the Eagles and he had a fantastic Super Bowl performance against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Patriots are hoping that Williams can cause havoc and putting him up against the Bills twice a year will make life a little difficult for Josh Allen.
WR D.K. Metcalf - Pittsburgh Steelers
The biggest trade of the frenzy took place between the Seahawks and the Steelers. Seattle was looking to move on from star wideout DK Metcalf, who had requested a trade out of Seattle and the Steelers gave up a second round pick. Additionally, the Steelers rewarded Metcalf with a brand new five-year, $150 million deal.
Getting Metcalf is a great move for the Steelers, but they don’t have a quality quarterback to throw him the ball. As of right now, it could be Mason Rudolph that is throwing Metcalf the ball if Pittsburgh doesn’t do something in free agency or in the draft.