The Bills are going to have some difficult decisions to make during free agency. According to Albert Breer of SI.com, the Bills have “confronted the reality that it’s going to be tough” to retain both linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and safety Jordan Poyer.
The Bills already have $240MM on the books for the 2023 campaign, and they’ve previously invested in sizable contracts at both linebacker (Matt Milano) and safety (Micah Hyde). As a result, the cash-strapped Bills will be hard pressed to find the necessary cap space to retain both of their key free agents, leading to a difficult choice as they prepare for the offseason.
ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg writes that the Bills “appear more likely to re-sign Edmunds than Poyer.” Edmunds’ impact on both the passing game and running game is invaluable, and while Poyer also brings top-notch production, the Bills would have a more difficult time replacing Edmunds’ production on defense. The linebacker has spent his entire career in Buffalo after being selected in the first round of the 2018 draft. The two-time Pro Bowler finished with his fifth 100-tackle season in 2022, adding six tackles for loss and seven passes defended. GM Brandon Beane acknowledged that the franchise tag could be in play for the impending free agent.
Poyer completed his sixth season with the Bills in 2022, finishing with 63 tackles and four interceptions en route to a Pro Bowl selection. The veteran earned a first-team All-Pro nod in 2021 after finishing with five interceptions and three sacks. After signing a four-year contract with the organization back in 2017, he inked a two-year extension with the Bills in 2020. Beane previously expressed interest in retaining Poyer, although he cautioned that the organization will need clarity on the cap before knowing how to proceed.
Last offseason, the Bills made one of the biggest splashes when they inked Von Miller to a mega-deal.. This time around, the Bills aren’t expecting as many fireworks. Beane previously told reporters that he’s not anticipating a major move at any point this offseason, admitting that they’re instead going to “have to work to get under the cap.”
Choose Edmunds, Poyer is getting older. Has to be a business decision at this point.
Exactly!
Jets should go get Poyer if he is let go.
Edmunds is terrifying out there. When you have a freak of nature, you keep him.
Really want Edmunds in Pittsburgh with his brother
It matters to me what contract Edmunds wants. (Franchise tag is also an option)
I don’t think Edmunds is an elite LB. If a trade offer was there, I think it would be considered.
Poyer is underrated nationally, but he isn’t young.
There is some chance to both being gone, but I think safety is a more easy position to replace. You can get a quality starter (not All Pro – but starting caliber) easier than a MLB.
I agree depends on Edmunds contract. I don’t think he’s a top 5 MLB and they already have Milano. Tbh I think Poyer is more important to what they do.
You can find quality MLBs in the middle rounds of the draft, Milano was a 5th rd, Dre Greenlaw.
While Edmunds is younger I’d sign Poyer to a 2 yr deal, team is in win now mode and it’s not prudent to sign 2 off ball linebackers to top market deals.
I think it is when you run defensive schemes that often only have two true linebackers on the field. Would prefer they started running a more traditional defense, but if they are going to continue doing what they are doing, they need both Milano and Edmunds.
I agree. I have no issue paying two linebackers. They are both on the field all the time with Taron. I also realize the perceived value of Edmunds is largely tied to his coverage skills.
I do have issue paying elite money to a non-elite player. Im not even a Tremaine hater, I just think he is a tad overrated.
FWIW: I think Mcdermott developed both Poyer and Hyde into the safeties they are. today. Neither player was known for their play as they are now before joining Buffalo.
Poyer was a late round puck and a castoff from a bad Cleveland team. Hyde was a respectable player signed on a very moderate contact.
I would bet replacing the safety would be easier for this staff.
I predict Edmunds gets a contract larger than most of us are comfortable with that includes a lighter cap hit for 2023 in exchange for guaranteed money in the coming years.
I think they let Poyer try the market, despite his value to the team.
The cap right now needs alot of attention just to get compliant. Something has to give. These are tough decisions.
Edmunds would fill a glaring hole with the Steelers and his name keeps popping up here among talk shows, fans and bloggers for obvious reasons. Hard to see Buffalo letting him walk however, and one would believe the Steelers know this too, especially after their note about allowing rookie Mark Robinson grow into all the potential he’s displayed
I think his name will pop up for a lot of teams if he gets to free agency
For sure. But a lot of fans are dreaming of him uniting with his brother here. It would be nice but it’s kind of far fetched. Then again, you have fans here who hope JJ reconsiders retirement and opts to play with his brothers in Pittsburgh for a year or two
I think there is a non-zero chance it could happen but not via free agency.
It would require a trade.
I actually don’t hate that idea, but I would hope Beane would have a plan first instead of making a hole a betting a player he likes is available in the draft.