Week 16 Takeaways: Rousseau Rises, Tua’s Future in Flux, and Contract Moves in New York
Greg Rousseau Steps Up When It Matters Most
In a tight 23-20 win over the Browns, the Bills needed someone to tilt the game-and Greg Rousseau answered the call. The third-year edge rusher delivered a breakout performance, racking up 2.5 sacks and two tackles for loss in a game where every defensive stop mattered.
What makes Rousseau’s outing even more impressive is how quietly he’s gone about his business. He’s not chasing stats. He’s chasing wins.
“Just doing my job, just trying to do my one-eleventh,” Rousseau said after the game. “I’m not caught up in all the stats and stuff, it is what it is, I’m just trying to go hard. I’m happy I can help the team win.”
That kind of mindset is exactly what head coach Sean McDermott wants to see, and he didn’t hold back in praising Rousseau’s impact.
“That was huge. We needed that from Greg,” McDermott said. “We felt like we had a chance to get after [the Browns’] O-line today.”
Buffalo’s defense has been a rollercoaster this season, but Rousseau’s performance was a timely reminder of what this group is capable of when the front four is clicking. If Rousseau continues to generate pressure like this down the stretch, the Bills could turn into a real problem for AFC offenses.
Meanwhile, on the offensive side, QB Josh Allen didn’t participate in Tuesday’s walkthrough due to a foot issue, but he’s expected to suit up for Week 17. With playoff positioning still in play, his presence remains critical.
Miami’s Quarterback Situation Gets Murkier
Tua Tagovailoa’s future in Miami is officially in question-and not just outside the building. According to several league sources, the Dolphins are internally grappling with whether their former first-round pick is still the guy moving forward.
One veteran scout didn’t mince words: “He wasn’t as twitchy or explosive as he was a year and a half ago. His feet and quickness were good enough and could help him compensate for [a] lack of elite ability.
You don’t see that anymore. He’s gotten comfortable.”
That comfort, some believe, has turned into stagnation. A defensive coach who game-planned for Tua offered a blunt assessment: “I saw a quarterback who couldn’t play football after his first read. And then he was on the interception train damn near every week.”
The decision to bench Tua late in the season was reportedly made solely by head coach Mike McDaniel, and it wasn’t part of a long-term strategic plan-it was about trying to win games now. But it may have long-term consequences anyway. McDaniel’s once unwavering support for Tagovailoa appears to be fading, and there's growing belief that Miami could explore moving on this offseason.
The challenge? Tua’s contract.
Trading him won’t be easy with a $54 million guaranteed salary on the books. Cutting him would trigger a record-setting $99.2 million dead cap hit-something no team has ever done.
One AFC executive summed it up: “They are almost stuck with him.”
Some front offices are pointing to the Broncos’ handling of Russell Wilson as a potential blueprint, but the situations aren’t identical. Wilson had more guaranteed money tied to future years, forcing Denver’s hand. With Tua, there’s only $3 million in guarantees set to vest beyond this season, giving Miami a bit more flexibility-but also less urgency.
Even if the Dolphins wanted to trade him, the market might not be there. One high-ranking personnel executive was skeptical: “If I was looking for a quarterback for a bad weather team, I wouldn’t have much interest in him.
The play hasn’t been good enough and you can’t trust him to stay healthy. If you’re playing in a warm climate or indoors and you have an offense with elements of a quick passing game and play-action, you can make it work for a year.”
In the meantime, rookie QB Quinn Ewers got his first NFL start in Week 16, throwing for 260 yards and two interceptions. He showed flashes, but also the rawness that comes with being new to the league. Dolphins pass game coordinator Bobby Slowik noted that while Ewers doesn’t yet have Tua’s anticipation, the ball still arrives on time-an encouraging sign for a young quarterback learning on the fly.
Jets Lock In Key Pieces on Offense
While the Dolphins are mired in quarterback uncertainty, the Jets are quietly taking care of business on the roster-building front.
Center Josh Myers signed a two-year, $11 million extension that includes a $1.8 million signing bonus and guaranteed base salaries of $3.14 million and $4.94 million in the new years of the deal. The structure also features $1 million guaranteed for injury in 2027, up to $510,000 in annual per-game roster bonuses, and $50,000 workout bonuses each year.
Tight end Jeremy Ruckert also inked a two-year, $10 million extension. His deal includes a $3 million signing bonus, base salaries of $1.74 million and $4.24 million, and a fully guaranteed 2026 salary. He can also earn up to $510,000 annually in per-game roster bonuses and up to $1 million in total incentives.
These moves signal a continued investment in the offensive core-pieces that will be vital regardless of who’s under center in 2026 and beyond. In a division full of quarterback questions, the Jets are at least making sure the supporting cast is locked in.
Bottom Line
As Week 16 wraps up, the AFC East continues to be a study in contrasts. The Bills are leaning on rising stars like Rousseau to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Dolphins are staring down a franchise-defining decision at quarterback. And the Jets are quietly building a stable foundation for the future.
The storylines are only heating up-and with two weeks left in the regular season, there’s plenty more to unfold.