The Buffalo Bills didn’t waste any time shaking things up after their season ended in heartbreak. Less than a day after a 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round, the team parted ways with head coach Sean McDermott - a move that caught plenty of fans off guard. But based on what we’re hearing from general manager Brandon Beane, that may just be the beginning.
Beane made it clear: the Bills aren’t planning to sit still this offseason. In fact, fans should buckle up for what could be an aggressive stretch of roster moves leading into free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft.
The goal? Load up around MVP quarterback Josh Allen and give him more firepower than he had in 2025.
“I’m not going to be afraid to make moves,” Beane said in an interview with Josh Reed of WIVB. “Now, I do have to make sure that I don’t do something that we walk into a season and it’s Josh playing with guys who look like me and you.
That would test his greatness. I think that would be irresponsible for me to do that.”
Translation: Beane knows Allen is elite, but even the best quarterbacks need legit weapons. And the front office is ready to get creative - whether that means working the salary cap, reworking contracts, or swinging for the fences in trades.
Beane pointed to the trade deadline as an example. Buffalo tried to make a splash midseason but couldn’t get deals across the finish line.
According to reports, the Bills made a run at Dolphins star wideout Jaylen Waddle and Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. Those are no small names - and no easy trades, especially within the AFC East.
Miami reportedly wanted at least a first-round pick for Waddle, and given the divisional rivalry, that price tag may have been even steeper for Buffalo.
Still, the interest tells us a lot. Wide receiver and defensive tackle are clearly high on the Bills’ priority list, and for good reason.
At receiver, the depth chart could look very different in 2026. Gabriel Davis and Brandin Cooks are both headed for free agency.
Curtis Samuel’s future is also in question - cutting him before June 1 would save the team over $6 million, and a post-June 1 release would free up nearly $8 million in cap space. That’s a tough decision, but one that could factor into Buffalo’s broader strategy.
The Bills were linked to several notable receivers at the deadline, including Chris Olave from New Orleans and Jacksonville rookie Brian Thomas Jr. That’s not just smoke - it’s a sign the front office is actively hunting for a game-changing pass-catcher to pair with Allen.
Defensive tackle is another area where Buffalo could see major turnover. Veterans Jordan Phillips, Larry Ogunjobi, and DaQuan Jones are all set to hit the open market.
That leaves Ed Oliver, Deone Walker, and T.J. Sanders as the only DTs on the roster with meaningful starting experience.
While Oliver is a cornerstone, the Bills will need more muscle up front if they want to maintain a stout interior defense.
Bottom line: this is shaping up to be a pivotal offseason in Buffalo. The decision to move on from McDermott signaled a willingness to reset the trajectory of the franchise.
And with a franchise quarterback in his prime, the Bills aren’t interested in half-measures. Beane and his staff are clearly ready to get aggressive - and if the right pieces fall into place, Buffalo could be back in the thick of the Super Bowl conversation sooner than later.