Year after year, the Buffalo Bills’ biggest challenge is getting past the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC, a task they’ve managed during the regular season but not in the playoffs. In 2024, the outcome was the same as in previous years, with a loss in the conference championship ending the team’s title hopes once again.
As a result, Buffalo’s offseason was closely watched by analysts, and according to PFSN, the work done was solid, but it still lacked one essential element to make it ideal, especially when considering how to best capitalize on the prime years of MVP Josh Allen.
Buffalo Bills Offseason Grade: B
Buffalo’s offseason wasn’t the flashiest or most eventful, but it featured key additions and re-signings aimed at preserving the team’s identity after a 13-win campaign in 2024.
Notable moves included the arrivals of EDGE Joey Bosa, WR Joshua Palmer, EDGE Michael Hoecht, DT Larry Ogunjobi, CB Dane Jackson, S Damar Hamlin (re-signed), RB Ty Johnson (re-signed), CB Maxwell Hairston, DT T.J. Sanders, EDGE Landon Jackson, DT Deone Walker, CB Jordan Hancock, and CB Dorian Strong.
Among the key departures were EDGE Von Miller, WR Mack Hollins, and CB Kaiir Elam. This wasn’t an offseason marked by major overhauls, something Buffalo experienced more last year, and the team did a solid job of keeping the roster healthy under the salary cap while remaining competitive.
The highlight, however, was the six-year contract extension for Josh Allen, replacing the existing four-year deal and updating his annual average to $55 million, second only to Dak Prescott’s $60 million per season. The contract reflects Allen’s steady progression, culminating in his peak last season when he was named the regular season MVP.
JOSH ALLEN TAKES HOME HIS FIRST NFL MVP TROPHY 🏆
◽️ 3,731 pass yards
◽️ 40 total TDs
◽️ 6 INTs pic.twitter.com/cLPQAbUnKu— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 7, 2025
It was a strategy focused more on retaining homegrown talent than making a splash in free agency. Gregory Rousseau, Christian Benford, and Terrel Bernard also had their contracts extended, but beyond keeping their core players under contract, the team made a notable addition with EDGE Joey Bosa, formerly of the Los Angeles Chargers.
MORE: Buffalo Bills Predicted To Sign 26-Year-Old Free Agent Difference-Maker
Reinforcing the defensive line was a top priority for Buffalo. The team tied 18th in sacks (39) and ranked 23rd in pressure rate (32.5%). To address that, they also added Landon Jackson, T.J. Sanders, and Deone Walker through the draft.
The main issue that lowered the grade of Buffalo’s offseason was the lack of significant moves to bolster the wide receiver group, which already lacked depth in 2024. The only notable addition was veteran Joshua Palmer, but the offense is still missing a true No. 1 target, a role Stefon Diggs once filled in Allen’s early years in Buffalo.
Allen will now have to work with a group led by Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and the newly arrived Palmer. He’s proven capable of succeeding with that type of unit, but a more talented receiver could be the difference-maker in a potential postseason matchup.
While it wasn’t a spectacular offseason, it was enough to keep the team in a competitive position. Still, the absence of a go-to offensive weapon beyond Allen could once again limit Buffalo, especially in the event of an injury or when facing an elite defense.