Since coming to the Buffalo Bills, Brandon Beane’s offseason was the hardest one to put together. Fans of the Bills were beginning to adjust to the team making more significant signings. This past offseason, that was not the case. The loss of important franchise players, particularly on defense, who contributed to the development of the Bills’ culture, was the high point.
While some of Beane’s underappreciated maneuvers are not receiving the credit they deserve, Bills supporters will witness the results of those maneuvers during the season. This covers signings of free agents as well as giving players who have something to prove greater leeway under the pay ceiling.
We examine the three contract decisions that the Bills will find advantageous in 2024.
Von Miller’s compensation decrease
Every time a player takes a pay cut, it relieves pressure on the salary cap, which is always a nice thing. The Bills saved almost $8 million when Von Miller chose to forego a raise; but, Miller may be eligible to recoup some of his costs through incentives. The future Hall of Famer suffered an ACL tear in 2022, but he prematurely returned to action last year. Out of all the Bills players on the squad, he received the most criticism and produced the least.
Miller is demonstrating his willingness to make up his money through productivity by accepting this salary cut. Fans of the Buffalo Bills are hopeful that Miller can live up to the expectation that he was brought to Buffalo.
Sighing Michael Edwards
Mike Edwards, a seasoned safety, was signed by the Bills for a meager $1.2 million for a single season. In addition to covering a void in the secondary, Edwards provides championship experience from his two Super Bowl victories with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Edwards will gain a great deal from having defensive-minded head coaches Sean McDermott and Bobby Babich. Playing both outside the numbers and centerfield, he has demonstrated his ability. He now has the opportunity to showcase his abilities in Buffalo.
WR Curtis’s signing Samuel Samuel, who agreed to a three-year contract worth $24 million, is likely the Bills’ biggest free agent addition of the summer. Samuel will be receiving the ball from a top-tier quarterback for the first time in his career. He will also work with offensive coordinator Joe Brady again, who the Carolina Panthers coach Samuel had his greatest season in 2020 (851 receiving yards, 200 rushing yards, and 5 total touchdowns).
Whether lining up outside the numbers or even in the backfield, Samuel ought to be a part of a lot of offensive packages. His arrival might have an effect on the Bills like to that of Deebo Samuel.