The official start of the new NFL season begins next week once free agency opens up next Wednesday, March 11th at 4pm EST. However, the legal tampering period will begin on March 9th at 12PM EST. So, pending free agents will be able to agree to terms before signing on Wednesday.
The Buffalo Bills have a good amount of work to do if they want to stay in the Super Bowl window. But more importantly, they are set to see a good amount of their own players walk out the door as well. With a new coaching staff in the building, this roster could look very different next season.
The Bills are looking at 21 players who could be joining a new team next season, and we chose the top ten notable pending free agents from Buffalo on where their next destination could be.
Predicting Bills' top notable free agents next landing spots
LB Matt Milano
Predicted landing spot: Miami Dolphins
All good things must unfortunately come to an end, and that could very well involve the Bills losing Matt Milano. He’s been with the Bills since 2017, and was the heartbeat of the defense at one point. With multiple injuries the last few seasons and his durability becoming a massive question, it could very well be time to move on.
I unfortunately have Milano staying in the AFC East and joining the Miami Dolphins. Jeff Hafley is the new head coach in Miami and is a defensive minded-coach that could use some help at linebacker.
EDGE Joey Bosa
Predicted landing spot: San Francisco 49ers
The Bills signed Joey Bosa last offseason to a one-year deal after he spent nine seasons with the Chargers. He led the league with 5 forced fumbles and while his pass rush was great early on, he regressed down the stretch and into the playoffs. The likelihood of him taking a similar discount on a deal is really unlikely.
Last offseason, the 49ers were a team that were in on trying to get Bosa, as his brother Nick Bosa plays for them. Well, I have the brothers uniting in San Francisco in the NFC West.
CB Tre'Davious White
Predicted landing spot: Baltimore Ravens
Tre’Davious White came back to Buffalo after being away for a year in 2024. He was drafted by the Bills in 2017, and he was actually the first player drafted in the Sean McDermott era. He came back to the Bills last offseason after being with the Rams and Ravens in 2024.
He played great football at times and he may have earned himself atleast one more decent-sized contract, it just won’t be Buffalo. I have him going back to Baltimore where they need help at secondary, and White still remains on a contending team in the AFC.
C Connor McGovern
Predicted landing spot: Chicago Bears
The anchor of the offensive line might be protecting another quarterback next season. Connor McGovern came to Buffalo as a guard, but was then moved to center and has become one of the best pass protectors over the last two seasons.
According to Tim Graham from The Athletic, Connor McGovern “hasn’t even heard from Brandon Beane” and that could lead to the conclusion that McGovern’s time in Buffalo is done (subscription may be required).
There is a world where the Bills may try Sedrick Van Pran-Granger at center, who was a great pass protector at Georgia but has not had any serious playing time in the NFL. Plus, with the Bears recently losing Drew Dalman to an unexpected retirement, Chicago is now looking for a center.
LG David Edwards
Predicted landing spot: Houston Texans
David Edwards revived his career with the Bills after a forgetful tenure with the Los Angeles Rams. He has been protecting the left side of the line for Buffalo the past two seasons and he is ready to cash in on free agency.
Buffalo re-signed Alec Anderson to a one-year deal and he is versatile to where he can replace Edwards on the line, leaving Edwards the decision to go somewhere else. I have the Texans signing Edwards to rebuild their offensive line to protect CJ Stroud.
LB Shaq Thompson
Predicted landing spot: Dallas Cowboys
Thompson was brought to the Bills in the summer last year and he would finish the season as the team’s best linebacker. That’s right, he was better than Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, and the entire linebacker room. He was great against the run and his pass-defense was above average.
With McDermott no longer being in Buffalo, it’s hard to imagine that he comes back to the Bills but he still has lots of football left. I’ve got him heading to the Dallas Cowboys to try and help a defense that needs a lot of help behind the trenches.
FB Reggie Gilliam
Predicted landing spot: Buffalo Bills
Reggie Gilliam has been an un-sung hero for the Bills. He’s helped not only establish the tush push play for Buffalo, but he’s helped James Cook become the league’s rushing leader. Without him, Buffalo’s rushing attack takes a hit and with that factor, the Bills find a way to bring him back to Orchard Park.
EDGE A.J. Epenesa
Predicted landing spot: Kansas City Chiefs
Much like the Bills, the Chiefs are clearly in a Super Bowl window that no one can deny, yet they have a ton of holes on the roster to fill. Both teams need help at pass rush but with the Bills going with a new defensive coordinator in Jim Leonhard, someone like A.J. Epenesa may not be a good fit.
Epenesa had a tough start to his tenure with the Bills, but then has become one of the league’s most underrated rotational edge rushers. The Bills extended him back in 2024, but now he is set to hit free agency. With Epenesa, I have him heading to the Chiefs where they bring him to be part of their pass rush.
DT DaQuan Jones
Predicted landing spot: Jacksonville Jaguars
DaQuan Jones had his success in Buffalo as a run-stuffer, but his time in Buffalo should be coming to an end. He was serviceable and he had some shining moments, but with a new defensive scheme and young defensive tackles in the mix with Ed Oliver, Jones should be out of Buffalo.
However, I still think he has a little bit of football left and I have him going to the Jacksonville Jaguars who were fantastic at stopping the run in 2025.
WR Brandin Cooks
Predicted landing spot: Buffalo Bills
The Bills signed Cooks in the middle of last season because they have had a desperate need of help at wide receiver. In five regular season games, Cooks had 5 catches for 114 yards which isn’t anything spectacular. He did however have a great 4th-quarter catch against the Jaguars in the playoffs that helped the Bills score their game-winning touchdown with just over a minute to go.
Cooks is not a long-term answer for the Bills at wide receiver, but giving him another year to learn the offense under Joe Brady may not be the worst idea.