The Buffalo Bills’ 2025 season came to a painful close on Saturday night - not with confetti and a Lombardi Trophy, but with frustration and a long offseason ahead. And as the dust settles, reality hits hard: this was likely the last ride in Buffalo for several key players.
Among the most notable? Joey Bosa.
After signing a one-year, $12.6 million deal last offseason, Bosa came to Buffalo on a mission - to prove he could still be a game-changer and help push a contender over the top. In many ways, he delivered.
The 30-year-old edge rusher racked up five sacks, 24 pressures, and 16 quarterback hits across 15 games. He stayed relatively healthy, played with purpose, and gave the Bills a reliable presence opposite Greg Rousseau in Sean McDermott’s defense.
For a player whose career has been riddled with injuries, this was a strong bounceback campaign.
But here’s the catch: Bosa’s performance may have priced him out of Buffalo.
The Bills are entering the 2026 offseason with a tight cap situation, and that’s going to force some tough decisions. Bosa was one of Brandon Beane’s most effective signings last year, but keeping him around would likely require a multi-year commitment and a decent chunk of cash - two things Buffalo may not be able to spare.
It’s not just Bosa, either. A.J.
Epenesa also made a strong case for a new deal, and other key contributors like Matt Milano and Connor McGovern are hitting free agency. The Bills have to thread the needle between retaining talent and reshaping the roster, and that’s no easy task when the financial margins are this thin.
What makes Bosa’s situation even trickier is the market. Veteran pass rushers are always in demand, and this offseason is no different.
Trey Hendrickson headlines the list of potential free agents, but Bosa stands out as a player who stayed on the field and produced. That’s going to attract attention.
Whether it’s a team like the Eagles, Rams, or another contender looking for a proven third-down rusher, it only takes one offer - one big payday - to take Bosa out of Buffalo’s reach.
If Bosa walks, edge rusher becomes a clear need for the Bills. Epenesa has value, but he’s more of a rotational piece than a full-time starter. Without Bosa, Buffalo loses a veteran presence who brought toughness and production to a defense that needed both.
And that’s not the only hole the Bills are staring at. Wide receiver remains a major need, especially with the offense looking to take pressure off Josh Allen.
Linebacker could also be a concern, with both Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson - each 32 years old - potentially moving on. It’s a lot to juggle for a team trying to stay in Super Bowl contention.
Saturday night’s loss wasn’t just the end of a season - it might’ve been the end of Bosa’s time in Western New York. His frustration was evident as he exited the field, tossing his helmet in the tunnel.
But over the course of the year, he proved his worth. He gave the Bills a spark off the edge, helped anchor a defense that battled through adversity, and showed flashes of the Pro Bowl form that once made him one of the league’s most feared pass rushers.
If this was it for Bosa in Buffalo, he leaves with the respect of the locker room and the gratitude of Bills Mafia. He came in on a prove-it deal, and he proved it. Now, the Bills face a tough offseason ahead - one that may not include one of their most impactful defenders from 2025.