According to Spotrac.com, the Buffalo Bills have 33 players listed as free agents, with 26 as unrestricted free agents. It may seem excessive, but it's quite typical for the Bills and many other teams to sign numerous one-year contracts each year 17 of these guys were just signed this offseason to free agent contracts. Some players will be discussed, but many won't make the roster by the time the cut-down day comes around this fall. And with so many one-year free agents, I imagine most will not be re-signed next offseason, even if they make the roster this season.
Buffalo looks to have some room to maneuver next offseason in free agency too, so re-signing many of their 2025 free agents shouldn't be too difficult, but the question will be whether the individual wants to re-sign, or if the team wants to bring them back. For the sake of this article, I've split them into two groups. One group is players I think the team might re-sign, or at least try. The second group is players I expect to go elsewhere, and the third group is up in the air. What I'm saying with this third group is that I don't know what to expect.
It will be nice nonetheless to have a rather drama-less offseason though. I don't expect any random cryptic tweets or major cuts, though I do have some thoughts on a few moves the Bills could make that could increase the Bills salary cap next year, but that's for another day. Later in the week, we'll have a 2025 offseason outlook, break down the salary cap, potential free agents that could be available for Buffalo, and look at the team's draft capital too.
Here is the list of Restricted Free Agents and Exclusive Rights Free Agents
Shane Buechelle, QB
Kyron Brown, CB
Quintin Morris, TE
Ryan Van Demark, OL
Alec Anderson, OL
Gable Steveson, DT
Shane Simon, LB
Let's get into the Buffalo Bills 2025 potential free agents
Most likely to be re-signed beyond 2024
Spencer Brown, OT
Mack Hollins, WR
Austin Johnson, DT
Reid Ferguson, OL (Long Snapper)
Kingsley Jonathan, DT
Alec Anderson, OL
I fully expect the Bills to re-sign Spencer Brown, and I don't think they wait until the offseason to get an extension done. Brandon Beane has signed a number of right tackles since since arriving in Buffalo, before finally getting Brown in the draft. Brown proved last season that he can play at a high level in this league. I don't see the Bills letting him get away.
Mack Hollins is a perfect fit with this team and the culture. He signed a one-year deal, but I think he earns and extension and remains in Buffalo a while longer. Austin Johnson is a favorite of DaQuan Jones and a great option in a reserve role behind Jones. Reggie Gilliam and Reid Ferguson aren't going anywhere. It feels like both of these guys have been with the Bills for decades, and I expect they will remain for another couple of decades. Lastly, we have Kingsley Jonathan and Alec Anderson, each of whom have been with the Bills since they came into the league and this coaching staff loves them and has put in a lot of work to develop them both.
These players either won't make the 2024 roster, or won't be re-signed in 2025
Mike Edwards, S
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR
La'el Collins, OL
Nicholas Morrow, LB
DaWuane Smoot, DE
Will Clapp, C
Ty Johnson, RB
Tre McKitty, TE
K.J. Hamler, WR
Darrynton Evans, RB
DeShawn Williams, DT
Casey Toohill, DE
Andy Isabella, WR
Eli Ankou, DT
Deion Jones, LB
Dee Delaney, CB
Zach Davidson, TE
Clearly, I'm not going to be 100 percent accurate on these predictions. I could see a few of these guys possibly getting a second one-year contract; however, Brandon Beane has a lot of picks in next year's draft, plus the team will have considerably more cap space to upgrade some positions. That said, I can see a world where Marquez Valdez-Scantling comes back for a second year, depending on how this coming season goes for him. If he proves a valuable asset to the team's passing game, the Bills may try to keep the receiver corps largely intake. he could return for a second year, depending on how this coming season goes
To follow up on the receivers, I don't think Isabella or KJ Hamler make the roster. Perhaps one or both find a spot on the practice squad, but that is unlikely. La'el Collins is another 2024 cut candidate, and I don't think he survives cut-down day either. I could go through the entire list but I'm only going to name a few more starting with linebacker Deion Jones. He will make the team to add depth to the linebackers but will be a one-and-done with the Bills. Same with the defensive linemen on this list. The additions of DeWayne Carter and Javon Solomon will add the depth the team needs, making the other players obsolete.
Dependent on their 2024 performance and other unknown factors
Rasul Douglas, CB
Chase Claypool, WR
I put both of these guys here because there are so many factors that will play into their situation this season. Let's start wtih Douglas. He had a terrific season since coming over to the Bills in a mid-season trade, but a late injury down the stretch affected his performance in the playoffs. According to PFF, he was the 11th highest-graded cornerback last season but he'll be 31 next year, and Buffalo may want to continue their youth movement and look to the draft or potentially a younger, equally talented option in free agency. There is also the unknown of Kaiir Elam and whether he'll turn things around this season. Additionally, Ja'Marcus Ingram has played well and shown some skill early in his young career.
Like him or not, Chase Claypool has all the talent in the world. If he's got his mind right finally, he could be a star, but until we see it, there will be doubts. So far, in OTAs, he's looked great but we haven't seen the guys in pads yet. If he can continue to stack solid practice days, and do so when the pads are on, preseason will be interesting to watch. Buffalo is stacked in the receiver room, and by that I mean they have a lot of talented players, but none are better than the other. So, who makes this team for the 2024 season is anyone's guess, and Claypool could either get cut before the Bills kick off the 2024 season or find himself earning an extension beyond 2024.