Photo Courtesy: Buffalobills.com
The Buffalo Bills lost in the divisional round for the fourth time in the last five seasons to the Denver Broncos 33-30, Saturday evening. Roughly 48 hours later, the Bills’ general manager, Brandon Beane, decided to part ways with head coach Sean McDermott after nine seasons.
Beane, who enters his 10th offseason with the organization, reportedly sits in charge of hiring the team’s next coach. Possible options for the position include the Bills’ offensive coordinator, Joe Brady; the Dolphins’ former head coach, Mike McDaniel; the Commanders’ former offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury; and the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak.
After resolving the number one priority of selecting the team’s next head coach, Beane will need to address questions about the roster. Bills fans had concerns about the overall talent of this year’s roster. Entering the offseason, the Bills’ limited cap space could make it difficult to increase talent, especially in free agency. Buffalo ranks 24th in salary cap space as they sit just over $3 million above the salary cap, according to Spotrac.com.
The Bills will also have to decide whether to re-sign key contributors with expiring contracts, such as those of left guard David Edwards, linebacker Shaq Thompson, fullback Reggie Gilliam, cornerback Tre’Davious White, safety Jordan Poyer, and wide receiver Brandin Cooks.
Bills tight end Dawson Knox could be a possible cut candidate to save money this offseason. If the organization does decide to cut the Ole Miss product pre-June 1, it will save the team roughly $9.6 million, according to YardBarker.com.
Players such as linebacker Matt Milano, edge rushers A.J. Epenesa and Joey Bosa, and defensive tackle Daquan Jones are all on void years (used to reduce cap hits) and may not be back next season.
Throughout the season, the team still had needs at wide receiver, edge rusher, linebacker, and in the secondary. Factor in losing some of the team’s expiring contracts, and management will have holes to fill. How and who they fill those holes with will play a major role in next year’s squad.
By the time next season begins, Bills quarterback Josh Allen will turn 30 years old. The prime of Allen can only last so long. As Allen gets older, and with each year’s postseason shortcoming comes an exponential rise in pressure. Beane and his front office have little margin for error this offseason.