The Super Bowl is over, the Chiefs are once again the NFL's champions. For me, it's frustrating because I do think the last two seasons could have been very different if not for injuries ravishing the team, specifically the defense. The two years prior to that, well again, the defense. I don't know why it always seems to come down to the defense in the playoffs and I think it's time for some changes.
I know a lot of the fans are all about the offense and want more. Many believe the Bills organization should focus on defense and build the talent around Josh Allen, making them unstoppable against any defense. But look, the Chiefs faced four playoff opponents, including the Super Bowl. Tua Tagovailoa, Lamar Jackson and Brock Purdy managed to score a total of four offensive touchdowns against the Kansas City Chiefs. Allen scored three touchdowns against that same defense by himself.
The Bills offense is good enough to beat the Chiefs, but the defense has struggled to get four man pressure on Mahomes. That said, I think the Bills should look at their wide receiver corps heading into the 2024 season. Nothing against Diggs, but he's not getting any younger and this group could use someone to develop into that number none role sooner than later but we'll discuss that more later.
Should the Bills resign Gabe Davis
Let's me start by saying that I like Gabe Davis in the Bills offense but I don't think he's a number two wide receiver. He's a player that as a third or fourth option, could be a legitimate matchup issues for opposing defenses. So, I wouldn't have a problem if the Bills are able to bring Davis back for the the 2024 NFL season.
The problem is that I don't think he re-signs a contract that pays him like a third or fourth wide receiver. There will likely be at least one team in the league that will pay him to be their number two receiver. A team like the New York Giants and Coach Daboll. Brandon Beane and Coach McDermott will need to make a decision and I think they try to bring him back under the right contract. The question will be whether or not Davis is willing.
How will the Bills rebuild their defensive line
I've talked about this a great deal already but it might be the biggest question of the offseason. The defensive line, thought terrific in the 2023, disappeared in the playoffs.....again. Now with only one defensive tackle under contract, along with Von Miller, Gregory Rousseau, and Kingsley Jonathan the Bills need to rebuild the line and should focus on getting younger along the line.
Buffalo has several defensive linemen they will need to consider re-signing but their focus should be more towards the draft. They will need to bring a few back via free agency thought to maintain some decent depth. I'd try to bring back Leonard Floyd, A.J. Epenesa and probably Poona Ford. The rest I'd look to younger free agents and the draft to build around.
What should the Buffalo Bills do with Tre'Davious White
This situation saddens me. I would have loved to see White continue his career at an All-Pro level for years to come and retire as a Buffalo Bill. White has been one of my favorite players of all-time and yet here we are, with the very real possibility that White may not be a Bill in 2024. For the record, I think Beane and McDermott leave him on the roster. But after back-to-back major injuries, the most recent being an achilles tear, even I have my concerns about his future potential.
There are option for the team to consider. Including possibly trading or simply releasing. A trade or release would result in over $6 millioin in dead cap money but a savings of over $10 million for the 2024 season. Something Buffalo will need to strongly consider given the cap situation they are in this offseason. If he remains, will he compete for a starting corner spot with both Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford currently holding those spots.
Who will feel potential hole(s) at safety
Micah Hyde is a pending free agent, but all signs are pointing to him retiring but there is still the possibility of him returning. Jordan Poyer is under contact for the 2024 season but there is the possibility of his retirement as well. If both Poyer and Hyde choose retirement, the Bills will have some work to do to revamp the position.
Even if Poyer returns, can the team depend on him to play at an elite level? He played much better down the stretch but also showed signs of slowing. Same with Hyde, even if he returns, do the Bills need to upgrade? Tayler Rapp is an option but he's also a free agent. The safety tandem for the Bills could look very different in 2024, including maybe a rookie.
Should the Bills move on from Deonte Harty and sign another free agent WR
The Deonte Harty experiment didn't work out. Sure, he had an electrifying return that saved the game but other than that, he was essentially non-existent. He's under contract for 2024 but maybe the team should consider releasing him instead. Doing so would save more than $4.1 million. This savings will be needed to sign a potential new number two receiver.
If I'm Beane, I take the savings afforded by releasing Harty and apply that elsewhere. Like I said, they can use that money towards maybe signing a new receiver. There are some free agent options that I like and wouldn't mind seeing in a Bills uniform, in addition to drafting a couple more.