BillsFanForever19

The increase in cap means nothing. If we were the only team to get it, sure. But everyone's cap increases. And every team has a capologist that figures what that number is going to be in 1 year or 2 years and figures that into their offers. The cap goes up and then so does the price of players. That's how Free Agents get more and more overpaid and we're constantly beating the records for the highest contract given to a player. You're also forgetting the contract we signed Taron Johnson for. He's entering Year 1 of a 3 year, 30.75m contract. So you're talking about signing a guy that Spotrac has a market value of just under 15m a year on top of the 10+m we're paying Taron Johnson and then probably another 15+m into Benford. That's just too much to be spending on the Cornerback position. It would really have to be one or the other and Benford is who we should be focusing on. And as good as Reed is and while we do need a replacement for Douglas, if we were to make a "splash" - I think 90% of fans would prefer that to be a Wide Receiver or an Edge Rusher before a CB.

That's fair. I assumed he meant legitimate buzz. Like reports from legitimate sources that the Seahawks are actually exploring the option or are putting him on the Trade block. As opposed to people talking about it and them saying "thanks but no thanks". You are right. And It's been more than just from Seattle. Like I said, every rumor person in the media and on Twitter have been talking about a potential Metcalf trade for years. It's been a talking point from posters on this board for years. You mentioned the Draft calls that were rebuffed, but even Schefter's addressed Metcalf trade discussion as well going back years: We absolutely should call on him. And if we can get him, we should do everything we can to make it happen. But they always seem to rebuff calls and have never shown an active interest in trading him. So i'll believe it when I see it.

Like the convo of signing or trading for a Premier Pass Rusher with Greg Rousseau's contract approaching, i'd find it hard to believe if we paid the cost that DJ Reed is going to cost that they then would also pay the cost that Christian Benford will cost. In a vacuum, the idea of a Benford and Reed combo in 2025 is appealing. But he's going to cost a LOT of money. And when Benford's contract is up after this season, it will again cost a LOT of money to retain him. I don't see them paying 2 CB's top end Corner money at the same time.

I think what he's saying is it's something that's been discussed by NFL rumor mill clickbaiters and fan sites going on like 4 years now. And when push comes to shove, Seattle never moves him. It was at a fever pitch on Draft Day with Pittsburgh even making an offer. Ultimately, as usual, they decided not to move him. There's logic that with the things you're talking about that this could finally be the year. But people felt that way last year too. And from what it sounds like right now, the Seahawks, with a new Head Coach entering Season 2, don't seem to be looking to rebuild or take a step back this year. They think they can win. And moving Metcalf would be a big step back. Here's hoping they do move him and we are in on it. But when it comes to him, regardless of what clickbaiters put out there, i'll believe it when I see it. I saw a post @Process made asking "what kind of splash moves can be made at WR?". Can't seem to find it beyond quotes (maybe it was deleted). But beyond the discussion of Tee Higgins and DK Metcalf - there's a couple splash WR's that will be available that aren't talked of often. The first being Chris Godwin. He'll be 29 years old and a Free Agent. He is coming off a Broken Ankle sustained in Week 7 which is a concern, but he's expected to be back by Week 1. But he was on an absolute tear before it happened. Putting up 576 yards and 5 TD's in the 6 games before the injury and going over a 1000 yards in 5 of his 6 years before that. Godwin is a stud. The other person is Deebo Samuel. When Brandon Aiyuk signed his massive long term extension, coming off of Christian McCaffrey's massive long term extension, and then Drafting Ricky Pearsall in Round 1 - every San Fran and NFL analyst said it means that this year was Deebo Samuel's last year in San Francisco. It's almost a forgone conclusion he'll be traded this offseason. And I could see his blend of size of versatility as a bruising rusher being something that Beane and McDermott find appealing. https://www.si.com/nfl/49ers/news/deebo-samuel-may-have-played-in-his-final-game-with-the-49ers-01jgqj04d3p7

What I mean when I talk about health affecting pay I mean no Torn ACL's, Torn Achilles, Broken Limbs, or a lot of Concussions. He has never missed serious time or had something happen to him that could effect his play negatively or possibly re-injure going forward.

And in the summer when the clouds show through I might go the same way too if You and I could talk together Well what am I supposed to do with You and I would walk together Then with always close around and Now you gaze toward the doorway When the weather comes falling down And when the rain comes down Would you choose to walk or stay Would you choose to walk Would you choose to stay Would you Walk walk walk walk walk away

True, Sacks don't tell the whole story. But when it comes to your top paid Defensive End it might be the most important chapter in the story. That number you're not willing to reach? That's what it's going to cost. And maybe more. The most expensive traits in Free Agency are youth, starting experience, athletic ability matched with size, and health. If you have those things, even someone who produces at a moderate level goes for way more than they should. Rousseau checks all of those boxes and does so at one of the most expensive positions in Football. If you're going to pay Rousseau the number that his agent will be looking for - we won't be paying for another Defensive End at a high level who can make up for his lack of ability to get to the QB more than 25 times in 4 years and no more than 8 times in any of those 4 years. Right now, we have that situation of Rousseau being our Top Edge Rusher. And it's not enough. People on this board are begging for us to go get Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, (as unlikely as those are) or Khalil Mack and looking at getting to the QB as one of our most important needs. The price tag is what has me out on him. If we could retain him for moderately more than what we're paying AJ Epenesa? Sure. But it's going to be closer to Von Miller and Tremaine Edmunds numbers. And I need serious Sack production and game closing ability for that. If i'm paying the number I'm expecting it to cost, I need more than "he sets a really good edge" or "he's great in run defense to his side". And I shouldn't be thinking "I hope we can afford another DE that can get us double digit sacks" or "I hope we can find a guy in the Draft that's better at getting to the QB than Rousseau". And I do find myself thinking that this offseason.

I doubt that personally. If it came from Beane, I could see it. But I don't think McDermott's the type of guy to feign over a players work ethic, skill, dedication, and perfect mental state like that to talk him up for a trade. Especially for the kind of trade value that a RB would get. He's not that good of an actor. He seemed sincerely impressed. As for the 5 Drafted guys who will be Free Agent's after this year - I put Cook no lower than 3. If I'm only bringing back 3 of the 5, it's Benford, Shakir, and Cook. Rousseau would be tough to let walk. But 25 sacks over 4 years, with 8 being the most he's recorded in one year is simply not enough for me to justify the kind of contract he'll command. I know sacks aren't everything and he does other things very well. But one of the biggest complaints fans have about the team is a lack of pass rush. So I'm having a hard time justifying paying the kind of money it would cost to re-sign a 25 year old Defensive End with his size, athletic ability, and clean bill of health when everyone's screaming for us to get a stud Pass Rusher in here this offseason. Right now, he seems like he'd be a great person to be in Epenesa's spot with a stud Pass Rusher lined up on the Left Tackle. But we're going to have to pay him top Defensive End money and I don't see him as a top Defensive End right now. At the moment, he feels like the Defensive End equivalent of Tremaine Edmunds. And Bernard? He was not the guy we saw last year. He was not popping off the screen nearly as much and he had way more negative plays. It seemed like he was always out of position and was never there when a runner got beyond the line of scrimmage. And he's been dinged up a ton. I'm paying the guys who have been consistently great the past two seasons. And to me, that's Benford, Shakir, and Cook.

I've said this a few times already but I'm in the same boat. I agreed with the line of thought that you don't pay for a Running Back. Just Draft another. But James Cook has changed that for me. The past two seasons, especially this year, he's shown a total package of skills that you're extremely unlikely to replace in the Draft. He's provided us a Running Game that goes beyond what you'd get from the line of thinking that "get a good line and any RB looks great". Speed, elusiveness, shiftiness, power for his size. We've Drafted 4 RB's, signed a number of veterans, and UDFA's since 2017 and no one's given us close to the kind of performance he has. We would have been completely dead in the water if not for him against KC and many believe going away from him at the end of the game may have cost us the game. I'm of the mind that Beane can structure something that kicks the can down the road and can provide us an out after a few years. And beyond me wanting it, I believe this regime wants to do it. Beyond the things his brother has been saying that James has been endorsing regarding an upcoming contract - I don't think I've ever heard Sean McDermott gas up a player like this beyond Josh or Micah Hyde:

At no point did I say we shouldn't Draft a DT or that we shouldn't upgrade the position. I quoted someone who said a stud WR wouldn't make a difference but a Stud DT would and said that's a wild take. And I disagree with it.

If I could turn the page In time then I'd rearrange just a day or two Close my, close my, close my eyes But I couldn't find a way So I'll settle for one day to believe in you Tell me, tell me, tell me lies Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies Tell me lies Tell me, tell me lies Oh no-no, you can't disguise You can't disguise No, you can't disguise Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies

Don't tell me to stop Tell the rain not to drop Tell the wind not to blow 'Cause you said so, mmm, mmm Tell the sun not to shine Not to get up this time, no, no Let it fall by the way But don't leave me where I lay down Tell me love isn't true It's just something that we do Tell me everything I'm not But please Don't tell me to stop

The regular season Chiefs are *not* the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl Chiefs. We're running on at least Year 2 of thinking the Chiefs are beatable this time around based on how they looked in the Regular Season. When it comes to the big games, they're a different team. They are heading to their 5th Super Bowl in 6 seasons - attempting an unprecedented 3rd Super Bowl Victory in a row. If they win, it would be their 4th Super Bowl win in their 5 appearances in 6 years. Their 2 losses in these 6 years of Playoff Dominance? A Super Bowl loss to the Brady led Bucs - that came because their Offensive Line was COMPLETELY decimated by injuries. And an AFC Championship game against the Bengals where they lost on an OT Field Goal. Every other time? Mahomes and Reid handled whatever Defense was put in front of them. Again, I'm not saying completely neglect the Defense. An upgrade from Daquan Jones, who, let's face it, is toast - is needed and should be addressed. But in no way is a Defensive Tackle going to make a bigger difference in overcoming the hurdle than getting Josh someone who can get open so he's not running around not finding anyone open and relying on the Run Game as much as we had to.

I'm not saying it's a bad thought either. Any improvement that can be made should be made. And you definitely can improve from Daquan Jones. But I certainly don't agree that having a better #1 option than Mack Hollins or Keon Coleman on the Outside would make less of a difference. To your point though, there really isn't a Stud DT on the market this offseason. And a DT does what for Patrick Mahomes quick release passes? As I said above, improvement should be made anywhere it can be. But I vehemently disagree with your notion that giving Josh talent that can separate and get open wouldn't make more of a difference than a guy in the middle of the D-Line. The key to beating the Chiefs in the playoffs is outscoring them. We could put the best Defense we've ever had on the field and Mahomes/Reid are going to scheme around it and put points up. If guys were getting open and were more reliable, we would have won that game. We shouldn't be relying on James Cook and the Run game to single handedly bail us out. That won't work against KC.

Thinking an Stud Wide Receiver wouldn't make much of a difference on the results of games but a Stud Defensive Tackle would is a wild train of thought.

Cam Newton defends Josh Allen for once

As soon as the season ends, I start looking forward to the start of Free Agency. That's March 12th - a month and a half away. I start analyzing the salary cap. The state of the roster. Our impending Free Agents. The contracts of the team that can be restructured, contracts that we can get out of, guys we may cut. Then a look at who's out there at positions of need. Create rankings at those positions. Looking at guys who are rumored to be on the Trade Market. Once Free Agency starts, the board comes alive and we all hang on the rumors of who we're looking at and analyze the signings we've made. The NFL Combine starts even sooner than that on February 27th. Less than a month away. I watch that as my first look at the Draft prospects. After the first couple weeks of Free Agency, I start looking into Draft prospects at positions of need that we haven't yet addressed. Watching footage, reading up on them, gauging where analysts have guys, and creating my own little Draft board by position. Then the Draft happens on April 24-26 and that's an all consuming affair for me. The hardest part is Post-Draft. There's about 3 months between the Draft and the start of Training Camp. But long story short, there's plenty of Bills stuff to look forward to between now and the start of the season. For us roster building obsessed, wannabe GM fans, the offseason can be just as fun around here.

I suppose it's slightly better than the people who come here and crash out after the season ends saying they're "done with the team forever" - only for them to stick around here Slightly...

I love when people propose an 'Assistant HC'. It's almost always a fan being like "Damn, I'm stuck with this coordinator or Head Coach I don't like. How do I deal with this? Okay, what if we add ANOTHER coach that hopefully negates them?" Like you said "this brain trust isn't going anywhere". Adding another coach in an assistant role isn't going to change how Joe Brady runs the Offense or how Sean McDermott and Bobby Babich runs the Defense. And he's not going to provide some kind of "eureka" moment for Sean.

There's two options when it comes to Samuel. 1.) The most likely is that he's here. Whether that's on a re-worked deal or pay cut to provide us a little space or he's just here on the same deal he's on. 2.) We trade for a WR and Curtis Samuel is part of the trade. It would cost us 11m+ in Dead Cap to cut him this year. That's why the "out" in his deal is looked at as after this upcoming season. Cutting him isn't a good option. Curtis Samuel IS a WR with Speed. I hope this year was just a combination of the turf toe nagging him throughout the year and a lack of experience with Josh. But speed for the sake of speed is not enough. Like I said, Samuel has that. You still need the Offensive Coordinator to run plays that stretch the field and/or that guy with Speed to beat the coverage. And I fear that Brady simply didn't utilize Samuel's speed the right way. And if it's the case, getting another Speed WR isn't going to change anything. We aren't "drafting rotational lineman". McDermott's Defense uses heavy rotation. That's why guys are rotating. It's his philosophy and that's really not going to change.

I'm not giving up two 1st Round Picks and the insane amount of cap it would cost, preventing us from spending money on other positions, for just one Defensive End. As @HappyDays has said, the key to overcoming the Chiefs en route to a Super Bowl bid is to load up the Offense with firepower and outscore them. Take the Defense out of it. We could have the best Defense ever and Mahomes is still going to go Michael Jordan when it comes to the Championship game. For what it would take to get Garrett (or at least what you're proposing), you're costing yourself multiple 1st Round talents and multiple players you could sign with the massive amount of cap space he'll take up - for 1 player on Defense that Andy Reid will scheme around and Championship Patrick Mahomes will still find a way to put up points on. This isn't to say completely neglect the Defensive End position. But you can sign a guy like Khalil Mack or Josh Sweat to go along with Greg Rousseau, keep those Draft Picks and have much more money that can both be used on Offense than it would to put Garrett under contract, and field a very similar result. Myles Garrett is a great player. But he's not going to impact the game as well as having a DK Metcalf, Tee Higgins, Deebo Samuel, or Chris Godwin for Josh to throw to will. If i'm delegating multiple picks and a large amount of cap space to someone this offseason - that's where i'd be leaning first.

The only issue I have with taking a 2nd Round WR is that I want a veteran of Cooper's caliber or greater replacing that spot. And I think it's a forgone conclusion that Mack Hollins is going to be retained at his roster spot. With Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, and Curtis Samuel (who's out is after next season, as he'd be an 11m+ Dead Cap hit for this season) under contract and Hollins retained - that only leaves Cooper's spot to be filled. And a 2nd Round Speed WR who is looked at as a #2 is not who I'd want for that spot. If we were to trade for someone like Deebo Samuel and Curtis Samuel were part of the deal, by all means. But if we're to be filling one WR spot (as expected as the number's been 5 the past couple seasons) - it needs to be something bigger than just a Rookie at Pick 62.

Funny - but she ripped off Tom Grossi's routine. Here's his videos following the AFCCG.

Nope. They were starting AJ Epenesa, Damar Hamlin, Daquan Jones hit the wall, Dorian Williams for most of the year and a Matt Milano who only became a semblance of his old self at the very end (though never looked fully like himself pre-injury). On top of that, in the Chiefs game we were rolling with Kaiir Elam and Cole Bishop. The talent level just wasn't there to put the Defensive woes completely on him and fire him after 1 year. He won't be going anywhere this offseason.