The Buffalo Bills walked off the field at the end of the 2025 season with that all-too-familiar feeling-close, but not quite there. Again. And now, as the franchise stares down yet another pivotal offseason, GM Brandon Beane finds himself in a familiar but increasingly urgent position: retooling a roster that’s talented enough to contend, but still searching for that elusive breakthrough.
Before we dive into splashy trade rumors or free agency wishlists, let’s talk about the foundation. Because for all the talk about adding new pieces, the Bills’ best shot at taking the next step in 2026 might start with keeping some of their most important veterans in-house. Cap space will be tight, no doubt, but there are three players in particular that Beane simply can’t afford to let walk.
1. Connor McGovern - The Anchor in the Middle
Let’s start in the trenches, where Buffalo quietly built one of the league’s most effective run-blocking units in 2025. James Cook may have grabbed the headlines with a league-leading rushing season, but anyone who watched the tape knows the offensive line was the engine behind that success-and Connor McGovern was right in the middle of it all.
The veteran center played with poise, power, and precision, setting protections and opening lanes with consistency. Now, with Joe Brady taking over as head coach, continuity becomes even more critical. Brady’s system will lean heavily on timing and cohesion up front, and McGovern is the kind of steadying presence you want anchoring that line.
He’s due for a raise-likely a significant one-but at 28, McGovern is still in his prime. If the Bills want to keep their ground game humming and give Josh Allen the kind of pocket he needs to thrive, re-signing McGovern isn’t just a smart move-it’s a necessary one.
2. David Edwards - The Unsung Hero at Guard
If McGovern was the anchor, David Edwards was the enforcer. The veteran guard brought toughness and versatility to the interior line, and his ability to handle both power and speed rushers gave the Bills a level of flexibility they’ve lacked in years past.
Edwards came to Buffalo on a bargain deal, and he’s outperformed it in just about every way. That’s the kind of value teams dream of finding in free agency.
But now comes the hard part: paying to keep him. And yes, it might sting a bit.
There’s always the temptation to try and replicate that success with a rookie or a cheaper option, but that’s a dangerous game when you’re this close to a title window. Chemistry on the offensive line doesn’t grow overnight, and Edwards has become a key part of that group’s identity. Beane would be wise to lock him in, even if it means tightening the belt elsewhere.
3. A.J. Epenesa - The Edge Presence They Can’t Lose
Let’s shift to the other side of the ball, where the Bills are facing a potential exodus on the edge. Joey Bosa came to Buffalo, reestablished himself, and now looks poised to cash in big elsewhere.
That’s a tough pill to swallow-but losing A.J. Epenesa on top of that?
That’s a scenario the Bills can’t afford.
Epenesa may not have Bosa’s name recognition, but he’s been a steady, ascending presence in Buffalo’s pass rush rotation. He sets the edge well against the run, brings pressure without needing to blitz, and has grown into a dependable playmaker in high-leverage moments.
With Bosa likely gone, Epenesa becomes even more valuable-not just for his production, but for the continuity he brings to a defense that’s going to need to retool on the fly. He’s not a luxury. He’s a necessity.
The Bottom Line
The Bills are in familiar territory: talented, close, and facing tough decisions. But if they want 2026 to be the year they finally get over the hump, it starts with keeping the core intact. McGovern, Edwards, and Epenesa aren’t just solid veterans-they’re foundational pieces of a team that still believes its best football is ahead.
Brandon Beane has pulled off some savvy moves in the past. This offseason, his biggest win might come not from who he adds-but from who he refuses to let go.