The scoreboard told the story Buffalo Bills fans know all too well: their fourth playoff loss in the Josh Allen vs. Patrick Mahomes era. Four times, they’ve watched their season end at the hands of elite quarterbacks, and now the pressure is crushing.
This offseason had to be different, but one analyst thinks they’re still missing the mark.
Where Did the Buffalo Bills Get It Wrong?
Allen’s first MVP campaign came from an offense ranked fourth in the league on PFSN’s Offense+ metric. What made it work wasn’t the rocket arm he’s known for, but something much simpler.
Instead, Buffalo succeeded through a streamlined approach powered by Allen’s athleticism and an electric campaign from James Cook. However, the defense remained a question mark throughout the year, ultimately finishing 18th on PFSN’s Defense+ metric.
With defense clearly the weak link, Buffalo prioritized that unit during the offseason. They added veterans like Joey Bosa, Larry Ogunjobi, and Michael Hoecht. But each of those names comes with concerns, either off the field or regarding injuries.
Their draft work looked more promising as they added Maxwell Hairston, T.J. Sanders, Deone Walker, Landon Jackson, Jordan Hancock, and Dorian Strong to the group.
Despite those additions, Mike Jones of The Athletic isn’t sold on the Bills’ chances to emerge as a true Super Bowl contender. In his breakdown of all 32 rosters heading into the 2025 season, he firmly placed Buffalo in the overrated category.
Can the Bills’ Offense Avoid Being One-Dimensional Again?
The first concern centers on the offense. Unless Keon Coleman or Dalton Kincaid jump to superstar status, the unit will again rely heavily on the run game. That kind of one-dimensional approach can hurt them when it matters most.
Consider the AFC Championship Game, where the offense had an opportunity to tie or even take the lead in the waning moments. They couldn’t muster more than 30 yards. Add in the contract dispute with Cook, and the situation becomes even more concerning.
Our first look at new #Bills EDGE Joey Bosa working through some drills with trainers off to the side #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/MySRcWI4G3
— Dom Tibbetts (@DomTibbettsTV) June 10, 2025
For Jones, the defensive additions might not be enough either. “The Bills already know they’ll be without defensive linemen Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi for six games as both serve suspensions for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.”
Their other major addition, the five-time Pro Bowler from the Los Angeles Chargers, isn’t a guaranteed investment either. “The team hopes free agent acquisition Joey Bosa can help bolster its pass rush, but the oft-injured Bosa already suffered a calf injury in May.”
Even though Bosa is expected to attend training camp, that level of uncertainty about the defense puts a hard ceiling on the Bills’ season. Their success is measured by playoff performance, and facing superstar quarterbacks like Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, or Patrick Mahomes won’t do the defense any favors.
As Jones concluded, “A shaky defense against Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson isn’t ideal.”
