(Image via syracuse.com )
Volunteer Writer: Aidan Danforth
Email: adanforth@umassd.edu
With free agency right around the corner, many teams tend to move on from multiple players. However, the Buffalo Bills moved on from three key players under long-term deals with the team.
These players include Tre’Davious White, Mitch Morse, and Jordan Poyer. The Bills also released three other minor players from the roster and restructured the contracts of Rasul Douglas and Von Miller.
Buffalo has been one of the top contenders in the AFC over the past few years. With that in mind, why are they moving on from these key players? What could this mean for their Super Bowl window? And how are they going to replace the talent they lost?
Why Were These Players Chosen?
The salary cap has always been a factor in GM’s decisions on what to do with players. Some teams find a way to work around the salary cap with contract restructures and signing bonuses.
However, a team like Buffalo had one of the worst cap situations, being over $30 million.
All of the Bills’ cuts opened up around $37 million in cap space, with the team still being around $14 million over the salary cap.
The Bills made these moves to get under the cap, but fans were shocked that they decided to cut cornerstone players, such as Poyer and White.
Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde were in the top ten for safety PFF grades before the 2023 season. The problem with Poyer and Hyde is their age. Poyer is 32 while Hyde is 31, so moving from one of them frees up cap space and gives younger players a chance to become starters.
The Bills also signed safety Taylor Rapp to a three-year $14.5 million dollar extension. Rapp is only 26 and got to learn as a backup to Poyer. Releasing Poyer will save the Bills $5.7 million in the cap.
The second key player to be released is cornerback Tre’Davious White. In 2022 and 2023, White was regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, per PFF.
White’s release is more injury-related, as he suffered a torn Achilles during the 2023 season. He also suffered a torn ACL during the 2021 season. Both those injuries ended his seasons in 2021 and 2023.
With football being an ever-evolving game, almost back-to-back season-ending injuries are a red flag for any key player, especially one who is nearing age 30. The Bills will save $10.5 million in cap (Post June Release) by releasing White.
The other big-name release was Mitch Morse, who has been the Bills’ starting center since 2019. He is among the few bright spots on an otherwise weak interior line.
Morse is in his 30s, but offensive linemen typically have a longer career than other positions. The Bills’ release of Morse saves them $8.5 million in cap space. Mitch Morse signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday with a two-year $10.5 million dollar contract.
The other players released include Siram Neal, Deonte Harty, and Nyheim Hines, all of which played minor roles on the Bills roster.
What’s Next?
With these releases, the Bills are still over the salary cap, which will make it difficult for them to replace the talent they lost. The only thing the Bills have done in free agency is bring back a few players and sign Quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
Buffalo has been a top contender in the AFC, but could the team’s window be closing with the rise of other franchises?
Last year, the Bills started 6-6 through the first 12 games, and many thought they’d miss the playoffs. Instead, Buffalo won five straight, won the AFC East, and lost to the Chiefs in the divisional round.
They did this despite several injuries to key players and mediocre play from players like Stefon Diggs.
Like most teams, Buffalo’s success begins with Quarterback Josh Allen and coach Sean McDermott.
Josh Allen has been one of the elite quarterbacks over the past few years due to his strong arm, rushing ability, and ability to take over games. But he also costs games with his turnover problem, as he’s thrown over ten interceptions over the past three years.
Sean McDermott has led the Bills to the playoffs for five straight seasons during his coaching tenure. However, the team has failed to reach the Super Bowl each year. This could mean McDermott’s seat may be hot if the Bills can’t do something in the 2024 season.
Buffalo has other talented players, including Stefon Diggs, Rasul Douglas, and James Cook. On paper, the Bills are still a good team, but with other teams improving their rosters in free agency, they could regress in 2024.
Will the Bills be able to overcome their losses and still be the top contender for the AFC East, or will they regress and give rise to a new team to claim the AFC East?