Cap Space - 53 Roster - Before PS

[Pete]

1 minute ago, LEBills said:

To be fair to Beane, who I thought should have been out with McDermott this offseason, when this article came out the Rams had $79 million in dead cap to the Bills $10 million (second fewest in the league that year) and we’re coming off a 5-12 record.

 

I believe that article mischaracterized what he said too if I remember correctly.

 

As much as I gripe about him as a GM, he is very good at managing the cap where his moves may be onerous but never crippling to us competing.

Beanes problem is his mouth.  He should never have said anyone that’s in the WR train is stupid.  Nor should he said he wanted to be cap responsible, unlike the Rams.  He doesn’t say those 2 statements, people would not be so critical.

I understand signing Von.  I don’t understand extending Diggs.  That’s not hindsight, I thought it was a bad move back then

Would you rather have 11 million in dead cap or 44 in dead cap?  Beanes comments look dumber and dumber.

 

It’s fine and great that the Bills dead cap number is much better in 2027.  But Josh will be 31 then.  IMO Beane has given Josh substandard WRs most of his career.  If Bills don’t win a Superbowl with Josh Allen- that’s 100% on Beane 

Edited September 1 by Pete

[GunnerBill]

15 hours ago, colin said:

I think you have the run of it, but dawkins being on the team in 2027 means his 2026 was better than his 2025

 

His 2025 was fine. He played poorly in the playoffs, I get it, and people remember your last game. But Dion was fine in 2025, his play was still at a high level. Wasn't the best year of his career but was far from his worst. 

[LEBills]

8 minutes ago, Pete said:

Beanes problem is his mouth.  He should never have said anyone that’s in the WR train is stupid.  Nor should he said he wanted to be cap responsible, unlike the Rams.  He doesn’t say those 2 statements, people would not be so critical.

I understand signing Von.  I don’t understand extending Diggs.  That’s not hindsight, I thought it was a bad move back then

Would you rather have 11 million in dead cap or 44 in dead cap?  Beanes comments look dumber and dumber.

 

It’s fine and great that the Bills dead cap number is much better in 2027.  But Josh will be 31 then.  IMO Beane has given Josh substandard WRs most of his career.  If Bills don’t win a Superbowl with Josh Allen- that’s 100% on Beane 

The blow up on WGR over WRs and then running to the comfortable confines of the Pat McAfee show was a terrible look. You know I stillllll am on the WR train.
 

But the Rams things was a nothing burger and a product of the content machine. This was his exact words:

 

"We're trying to work our way out so that we don't have just a tear-down," Beane said Tuesday. "And you see that happen from a team here or there like 'man, we can't do anymore. We got to get rid of some of these huge salaries and the only way to do it is either try to kick it further down the road, making it harder, or start trading, releasing, and taking those hits.'

"We're trying not to do that, we want to be competitive every single year. And so some years, you're just not going to be able to go get a big ticket item every year. I know that's sexy to go do that. And listen, we want as many talented players as we can get, but we've got to be fiscally responsible."

 

https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/onsi/news/buffalo-bills-brandon-beane-los-angeles-rams-tear-down

 

I think his roster moves and drafts have mostly not been good but the argument that this year we have more dead cap than the Rams and so what he said in 2023 was hypocritical is disingenuous

 

now please stop making me have to defend Brandon Beane lol

[colin]

14 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

His 2025 was fine. He played poorly in the playoffs, I get it, and people remember your last game. But Dion was fine in 2025, his play was still at a high level. Wasn't the best year of his career but was far from his worst. 

 

if the level of play is at or below last year, particularly in the playoffs, i think his days are numbered.  he has had weight problems and at his age that hurts more and more each year.  his 24 was better and i think that's the standard they will hold him to.  nfl = not for long.

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, colin said:

 

if the level of play is at or below last year, particularly in the playoffs, i think his days are numbered.  he has had weight problems and at his age that hurts more and more each year.  his 24 was better and i think that's the standard they will hold him to.  nfl = not for long.

 

His 2024 and 2025 were very similar and both a good level of tackle play. Yes he is older, yes he has had weight fluctuations but if he can play at the level he played in the 2025 regular season they'd be mad to move off him. Now if his play this year is at the level of his play in the 2025 playoffs, that's a different question - in that case I agree he won't be on the roster next year.

 

[billsfan89]

18 hours ago, colin said:

I think you have the run of it, but dawkins being on the team in 2027 means his 2026 was better than his 2025

 

Or the team doesn't feel comfortable in the options to replace him which would currently be Bowry and Grable and the Bills are unlikely to be able to afford a free agent of a similar caliber. I think Dawkins will be on the roster in 2027 (I think that will be his final season) as I am not seeing Bowry being just a year away from taking the spot either. 

 

Overall, a lot remains to be seen but I personally think what's most likely to happen is Dawkins is back for one last ride and the Bills draft a tackle in round 2 to develop for a year along with Bowry. 

[Kirby Jackson]

22 minutes ago, billsfan89 said:

 

Or the team doesn't feel comfortable in the options to replace him which would currently be Bowry and Grable and the Bills are unlikely to be able to afford a free agent of a similar caliber. I think Dawkins will be on the roster in 2027 (I think that will be his final season) as I am not seeing Bowry being just a year away from taking the spot either. 

 

Overall, a lot remains to be seen but I personally think what's most likely to happen is Dawkins is back for one last ride and the Bills draft a tackle in round 2 to develop for a year along with Bowry. 

Not restructuring him this year leaves flexibility for 2027. If he is done you have the option to move on. You can use the savings to fill that hole. I think a draft pick would be more likely. 
 

I think that the Bills would love to extend him for a year or 2 at a lower number to smooth over his cap situation moving forward. Biting the bullet this year was a wise move to lend future flexibility. That should have been the last lever pulled and it appears that it was. 

[billsfan89]

1 hour ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Not restructuring him this year leaves flexibility for 2027. If he is done you have the option to move on. You can use the savings to fill that hole. I think a draft pick would be more likely. 
 

I think that the Bills would love to extend him for a year or 2 at a lower number to smooth over his cap situation moving forward. Biting the bullet this year was a wise move to lend future flexibility. That should have been the last lever pulled and it appears that it was. 

 

The savings on Dawkins’ contract next season is only around $12 million (roughly a $13 million dead-cap hit on a $25 million contract as is). Considering the Bills will be very tight against the cap in 2027, there’s not likely to be enough cap space to get a good LT replacement even if they cut Dawkins. Assuming they cut Bass and Palmer and restructure Groot, Benford, and Josh Allen, the Bills would be about $10 million under the cap with 45 players under contract.

 

If you cut Dawkins, you’d have $23 million in space with 44 players under contract. There are, of course, other options to open up cap space, but I think those restructures are a bit less appealing (another Oliver restructure, a Bernard restructure, and you could cut Hoecht if he has a bad season or gets injured). I just don’t think Dawkins’ money, while helpful, opens up enough capital to adequately replace him.

Edited September 1 by billsfan89

[Rubes]

How to be good at managing the cap:

1. Draft as many players as you can who develop into starters or reliable backups
2. Pay $$$ for FAs who actually produce the way you expect them to
3. Be willing to say goodbye to expensive starters who aren't producing as much anymore
4. Avoid injuries as much as possible

That's all!

 

Edited September 1 by Rubes

[BuffaloBillyG]

9 minutes ago, billsfan89 said:

 

The savings on Dawkins’ contract next season is only around $12 million (roughly a $13 million dead-cap hit on a $25 million contract as is). Considering the Bills will be very tight against the cap in 2027, there’s not likely to be enough cap space to get a good LT replacement even if they cut Dawkins. Assuming they cut Bass and Palmer and restructure Groot, Benford, and Josh Allen, the Bills would be about $10 million under the cap with 45 players under contract.

 

If you cut Dawkins, you’d have $23 million in space with 44 players under contract. There are, of course, other options to open up cap space, but I think those restructures are a bit less appealing (another Oliver restructure, a Bernard restructure, and you could cut Hoecht if he has a bad season or gets injured). I just don’t think Dawkins’ money, while helpful, opens up enough capital to adequately replace him.

I wouldn't be shocked if next offseason, the priority is to extend Josh Allen rather than restructuring. They could add some void years, lock him up for any foreseeable future and drop his cap hit. It feels like it's about time. 

[ColoradoBills]

2 hours ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

I wouldn't be shocked if next offseason, the priority is to extend Josh Allen rather than restructuring. They could add some void years, lock him up for any foreseeable future and drop his cap hit. It feels like it's about time. 

 

They just did that last year.  They have some great options with other players next season.