The Bills have a number of important decisions to make this offseason as they look to maintain as much of their core as possible. Atop their priority list is a deal allowing them to keep linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. 
The 24-year-old is scheduled to hit the open market for the first time in his career, after he played on the fifth-year option in 2022. This past season saw Edmunds continue his production both against the run and the pass, with 102 tackles and seven pass breakups. Those numbers have him positioned to headline this offseason’s free agent linebacker market.
A franchise tag is a possibility, as general manager Brandon Beane aluded to last month. However, given the two-time Pro Bowler’s age and consistent production, he represents a logical candidate for a long-term deal. Inking Edmunds to a multi-year pact would, on the other hand, give the Bills a highly expensive LB corps given Matt Milano‘s $13MM-plus cap hits for the next two years. Extending Edmunds would also likely leave Buffalo in a situation where All-Pro safety Jordan Poyer would be heading elsewhere in March.
Given reports that Edmunds is Buffalo’s priority between the two, though, much attention will be paid to the Virginia Tech alum in the coming days and weeks. In an examination of his situation, Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News writes that Buffalo is expected to have to pay “at least” $15MM per season on a new Edmunds contract. He adds that an outside team driving the price towards $17MM in annual average value would come as little surprise, provided he hits the open market.
A deal of that value would put Edmunds near the top of the pecking order in terms of off-ball linebacker compensation. Roquan Smith became the league’s first $20MM-per-year player at the position when he signed a massive extension not long after being acquired midseason by the Ravens. Four other linebackers (Shaquille Leonard, Fred Warner, C.J. Mosley and Foyesade Oluokun) are currently at or above $15MM per season on average.
With middle linebackers and edge rushers grouped together for the purposes of franchise tag figures, Edmunds would cost the Bills nearly $21MM if they chose to go that route. That would provide them with further incentive to work out a long-term deal, but doing so would complicate their efforts to get under the cap ceiling in time for the start of the new league year and put Edmunds near the top of the list in terms of LB compensation.
steelers need him
What blogs put forth as rumors here is humorous, to say the least. Some say they’ll target Edmunds. Some say Jalen Ramsey. A couple even ponder whether JJ Watt would be amenable to playing a couple years with his brothers.
All nice, perfect world ideas
The Steelers shocked me during free agency last year and with a new GM and assistant (Kahn and Weidl), anything is possible. But given the constraints of their budget, guess I’ll be surprised if anything beyond a solid draft on O and D linemen and a CB and a few minor, back up free agents come this way
I should note that Ramsey isn’t an FA. That would mean a trade of some kind
steelers need him.
After your first post I wasn’t convinced. But this one does it.
Yeah, I thought he might be waffling on it. Good to know
I wasn’t aware I said as much.
oh btw you’re soooo wrong.
steelers will have about 28 million in cap space this offsesason after some obvious cap saving moves that don’t hurt the roster much.
can definitely afford Edmunds if they really want him
Lions, be ready. Trade up to draft the Georgia DT and sign Tremaine. Find a solid CB, and you have the makings of a good defense, as long as the young kids keep getting better.
I am so tired of this big strong enthusiastic cat make bone head plays, take the wrong angle, unable to think up a plan to get around one line man.
I feel there are a lot of his new and ex coaches who said ” jeez if he had half a brain he would be great”.
I lets be real, this defence stunk.I watched, everyone just ran and passed all over them. The stunk last year and before that. The good ranks were probably because the had the ball alot. His spot needs upgrading, he is not that good.
“This defense stunk” ?
ok buddy.
Tremaine isnt a great LB, but he is FAR from a bad player.
Let Edmunds go select another LB in draft