AB would get so blown up by his peers if he downgraded all the way to Buffalo, that his ego (and his agent, whose business would also be damaged for sending his player to the "north pole") would prevent him from signing with the Bills at any price. For players and agents, this is business, nothing personal, and pro bowl players at skill positions making moves to the Bills is just plain bad for business. Potential clients would forever look sideways at the agent ("you couldn't do better than Buffalo, for crying out loud, for AB in his prime??? " ) , and commercial deals for the player would dry up ("you thought commercial deals were scarce in Pittsburgh, wait til you get to Buffalo") . Look at Shady's reaction when he was traded, look at Kelly's reaction when he was drafted, the list goes on... now we all know they warmed up to the place because it is not a awful as the world portrays it, but a FA (and his wife, importantly) with choices most times will not take the chance. Just sayin' . This movie has been played dozens of times with the Bills and coaches and top players at skill positions , so we know how it goes. Drafting talented , solid homeboy type players , plus taking your cap surplus and signing your own guys at the end of their rookie deal is the path for this franchise. Free agency is great, but let's not get our hopes up too high.