Bills replacing Edmunds and slow start to free agency

Summary

Buffalo Plus Podcast — Episode Summary

Episode Title: Bills Replacing Edmunds and Slow Start to Free Agency
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes
Published: March 14, 2023

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Main Theme & Purpose

This episode dives into the Buffalo Bills' decision not to retain linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, analyzing the reasons behind his departure to the Chicago Bears and the team's approach to replacing him. The hosts also discuss the significance of Edmunds' contract, how his absence impacts the defense, and what the Bills’ strategy appears to be in free agency—especially given a relatively slow start. Additional topics include off-season roster moves, the state of the AFC East, and reactions to other notable transactions (including speculation about quarterback Aaron Rodgers).

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tremaine Edmunds’ Departure & Implications

• Why Edmunds Left

• The hosts agree Edmunds’ excellent play—particularly in his contract year—effectively priced him out of Buffalo’s reach.

• Dan Fetes points out he predicted this early, suggesting the team hoped Edmunds would play so well he’d price himself out, making the decision easier for management (01:33, 04:14).

  “I said, I think the Bills hope that he plays so well that he prices them out of their pocket and makes it an easier decision.”
  — Dan Fetes (01:38)

• The Bears' Big Bet

• The contract: 4 years, $72M with $50M guaranteed. Mike notes that's a massive investment from Chicago, given their current rebuilding phase and having cap flexibility with a quarterback on a rookie deal (03:09–04:14).

• Edmunds’ Value

• The hosts all respect Edmunds as a "good football player," but stress he is not irreplaceable—highlighting his strengths (athleticism, age, consistency) and weaknesses (questionable instincts, lack of big-impact plays) (04:14–05:17).

  “If fans of the Bears are waiting for him to come in with 10 sacks and three picks, that’s not the guy they’re getting.”
  — Mike Catalana (03:23)

• Jenna calls him "really great," but acknowledges the Bills “just were priced out” and the organization wasn't going to spend $18M/year on his position (06:04).

• Calculated Risk by Buffalo

• The team’s approach of delaying an extension is identified as a gamble—if he played poorly, they move on; if great, he becomes unaffordable (07:46, Dan expands more on the team’s pattern with contracts, likening it to Ed Oliver and Jordan Poyer’s situations).

  “The fact that there’s not a deal done with Ed Oliver right now speaks volumes.”
  — Dan Fetes (08:10)

• Salary Cap Strategy

• The hosts interpret the Bills’ moves (e.g., Milano’s extension) as a clear signal they are reallocating resources toward offense (11:09).
• “We’re not going to be as good at linebacker, likely... but we’re going to score more points and that offense is going to be better and our best player is quarterback. So let’s go spend it on somebody that can help the quarterback.”
  — Mike Catalana (11:33)

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2. Who Replaces Edmunds?

• Terrel Bernard as Next Man Up?

• Dan predicted Bernard would be the new starter but admits, “I don’t know if I like it,” citing lack of experience and a need for more physicality. The hosts agree a veteran addition (possibly a “bridge” linebacker) is necessary alongside Bernard (07:33, 16:39).

• Competition & Depth

• Tyrel Dodson is mentioned as another internal option, along with the likelihood of adding another vet or two, possibly on short-term deals (17:38).

• Defensive Adjustments

• Discussion on whether Matt Milano's role could shift in Edmunds' absence, suggesting more flexibility or new duties for him (17:08).
• Mike questions the cumulative impact on the defense, especially with Leslie Frazier’s exit and the probable loss of Jordan Poyer (12:09–12:27).

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3. Bills’ Free Agency Approach & O-line Moves

• Slow Start by Design

• The hosts affirm that the Bills were never likely to be first-day “big spenders.” Mike cautions fans against panicking over a lack of flashy signings, which are often financially problematic (22:18).

  “I did not see them as being first day spenders... You sit back and go, wow, we’re paying a lot of money for Tremaine Edmonds... That’s teams making big decisions on guys to give them huge money.”
  — Mike Catalana (22:18–23:04)

• Connor McGovern Signing

• The addition of McGovern (Cowboys) is praised for adding versatility and competition to the offensive line (18:36).
• The hosts debate whether he is a bona fide starter or more a reliable depth piece; he’s compared to a “utility infielder” in baseball (19:26–20:50).

• Emphasis on the “Right” 53 Players

• Dan highlights a key philosophical point about building the correct roster for the team culture, not just accumulating talent (21:09).

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4. Other Key Roster Moves

• Sam Martin & Tyler Matakevich re-signings mentioned for special teams (23:04).
• Case Keenum’s Departure: Mike wants the backup to be a proven veteran, not a rookie. “I do not want the backup to be a kid... I want somebody that’s played in the league.” (25:36–27:07)
• Ike Boettger: Resigned for offensive line competition.

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5. AFC East Landscape & Aaron Rodgers

• Big Changes in the Division

• The probable arrival of Aaron Rodgers to the Jets is dissected, with the hosts recognizing the Jets’ strong roster minus last year’s quarterback woes (27:23–29:57).
• Buffalo faces a tougher division: Miami’s signing of Mike White as backup praised as “smart” (27:44), the Jets as an immediate contender if Rodgers joins, and the Patriots now decidedly the weakest roster (28:58).
• “Every year we talk about the teams around the Bills getting better in the division...”
  — Jenna Cottrell (28:22)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Dan’s Victory Lap:
  “Let’s just say it, Dan was right. That might be the title of this pod.” (01:39)
  Continues throughout as a running joke among the hosts.

• On Tremaine's Value:
  “Tremaine is not irreplaceable. A very good player, played at times very high level football, but his safety against Cleveland is the most memorable play that we can remember off the top of our heads.”
  — Dan Fetes (16:20)

• Jenna on Cap Realities:
  “They’re not going to pay $18 million a year for Tremaine Edmonds. They’re not. They didn’t. The Bears are going to.” (06:17)

• Fan Anxiety & Patience:
  “It’s like you’re at a school dance and everyone’s getting picked but you.”
  — Jenna Cottrell, about nervous Bills fans (30:46)

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Noteworthy Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment / Quote | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:33 | Dan taking credit for predicting Edmonds’ departure | | 03:09 | Mike on what the Bears are getting with Edmunds | | 04:14 | Debate about whether Edmunds is irreplaceable and discussion of his contract | | 07:33 | Segue into Terrel Bernard as possible replacement and concerns about depth | | 11:33 | Mike on shifting cap dollars from linebacker to offense to maximize Josh Allen’s window | | 16:20 | Dan downplays Tremaine’s “irreplaceable” status by recalling signature plays | | 18:36 | First mention of Connor McGovern’s signing and O-line issues | | 21:09 | Dan on culture fit: “It’s not about the best 53... it’s about the right 53.” | | 22:18 | Mike’s perspective on sitting out big-money free agency frenzy | | 25:36 | Discussion of Case Keenum leaving, backup QB philosophy, and roster management | | 27:23 | Segue to Aaron Rodgers saga and how it affects the AFC East | | 28:58 | Assessment of division rivals and Patriots’ perceived slide to fourth-best in the AFC East | | 30:46 | Jenna’s relatable metaphor for free agency anxiety: “It’s like you’re at a school dance and everyone’s getting picked but you.”|

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Tone & Host Dynamics

The conversation is lively, insightful, and humorous, with hosts bantering and ribbing each other (notably about Dan’s predictions). They mix insider analysis with accessible language and relatable metaphors for Bills fans. Their tone is enthusiastic but grounded, embracing both optimism and realism regarding Buffalo’s roster choices and future.

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Conclusion

The Buffalo Plus team delivers a clear-eyed breakdown of the Bills’ early off-season strategy, focusing on salary cap discipline, roster turnover (especially at linebacker), and the competitive escalation in the AFC East. They stress patience, the importance of smart spending, and cultural fits over headline signings, leaving listeners with a better sense of the team’s motivations and future challenges.

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For more Buffalo Bills insights, subscribe to the Buffalo Plus Podcast and channel.

Transcript

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[C]

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[B]

Could have bought a Hyundai on Amazon. Visit HyundaiUSA.com or call 562-314-4603 for more details. Limited availability pickup through participating Hyundai dealer in select markets it's time for the Buffalo Plus Podcast. Ellen again. Rolls on the move, lets it fly. Oh, Diggs. Oh, what a catch. Foreign.

[C]

Welcome back to the Buffalo plus podcast, presented by Connors and Ferris, Mike Catalana, Dan Fates. I am Jenna Cottrell. We're going to talk all about the Bills mood moves. Bills moves that they've made. How hard that is to say. Also, who they missed out on as Tremaine Edmond signing with the Bears and how the AFC east is going to look quite different. So we'll all talk about it. Before we do, please be sure to like, comment, comment and most importantly, subscribe to the Buffalo plus channel if you enjoy our content.

[B]

First, let it go. Go. Go ahead, say it.

[D]

I don't mean to break my arm patting myself on the back, but also before this, I've already gloated once but Mike had wi fi issues so we're doing this a second time. It's even.

[C]

Oh, don't act like you.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, it's even more fun gloating a second time. Yeah, I was right. I. I said I I. And to be fair, I was trying to go back to podcasts and vlogs that we did during training camp where I said Tremaine Edmonds was gone. That I said, I think the Bills hope that he plays so well that he prices them out of their pocket and makes it an easier decision because it's also better for them to be a Super bowl contender if their linebacker plays well. And so I've been right for a year now. It's been a decent year minus the oil change for Dan because I knew, let's just say it, Dan was right. That might be the. That might be the title of this, of this pod.

[C]

What do you mean that might be. You already made the canva saying Dan was right. You already said that was just.

[D]

That was just for us. That was just for us.

[C]

Mike, you and Dan had a coffee bet. And I need to read this. This comment because demo put on Twitter whatever coffee you get, Dan fades dot dot Please make it decaf. I love that shout out demo because that's hilarious. All right, Dan. Yeah, you were right. Now, I will say, Mike, I feel like we saw this coming after the Matt Milano extension a couple days ago. Right.

[B]

I didn't. I didn't know how much difference that made.

[D]

I.

[B]

Look, I think there was a number they wanted to keep Edmonds at. They obviously like Edmonds.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And Chicago paid him a ton of money. I mean, Ryan Poles, I think is going to do a good job. Ryan, that's a lot of money to spend on Tremaine Edmonds and he's a good player. What we know about Tremaine is he's a good player. And if fans of the Bears are waiting for him to come in with 10 sacks and three picks, that's not the guy they're getting. But they're getting a good football player that I think the Bills would have liked to have kept. But Dan's right about this. Tremaine, based on his time in the league and his age and his ability to play the position well, he priced himself high and he got paid. That's great for him. I think the Bills had a number they would have been comfortable with. I think they probably approached Tremaine on that number. And he rightfully said, I'm going to test the market. He tested it and he won. He won with the market. That's a lot of money. 50 mil guaranteed. Great for him. He goes to the Bears, they're a rebuilding team, and the Bills can now rightfully take that money and spend it on offense.

[D]

Yeah, and that's the thing is that I think we talked about the last video that we posted was that like, everybody being like, well, you can't let Jermaine Edmonds go. He can't let him go. He is not irreplaceable. And I mean that in the sense of Tremaine was a good player for the Bills and at times he was really good. But. And I get the age. Even though if you guys are still aware that he's young. Ian Rapaport also also wanted to point that out when he. When he broke the news that he's still young. I think that if the Bears want to use him in a different way that that's fine. But this thought that oh, you, that Tremaine was this guy that you could never let go, I, I just didn't see it. I, I think we're starting to look at his career and his time in Buffalo with more rose colored sunglasses that like, oh, he was, you know, a Pro bowler. It's like, woo. It's like we went into this training camp being like, can he catch a ball when it is thrown at both of his hands? And we were like, can it be taught? And we even had Brandon Bean saying he lacks some instincts that he just doesn't have that.

[B]

I got to take a time out here for a second. He just got paid $72 million. The guy's a good football player. I think it's rising positions. I'm saying is it's like he can catch the football, but that's not. I mean, honestly. And I don't think the Bears are really going to change who he is. I mean, I think they're going to hope that he develops and gets better, but they're paying him a lot of money for the guy he's been and they think he's going to be for them. But the Bears are different. They got a quarterback on a rookie deal, they're trying to rebuild the whole thing. They're using draft picks, they got money to spend and so great. I think the Bills had to prioritize and there is a budget of how much you're willing to spend because you want to spend it somewhere else. And Jenna, they're going to need to spend it somewhere else.

[C]

Yeah, exactly that. I feel like, I think Dan, like going into this season, it was like, yeah, there's no way that the Bills are going to resign Tremaine. But then to see the way he did develop this season, and I thought it was one of those situations where the Bills would have liked to have brought him back. But when you look at the optics of the situation, coming off of his best season, only being 24 years old, being a guy that is a former first round pick and the fact that he was a Pro Bowler, I think that made him so attractive to other teams and the Bills just were priced out. I mean, Tremaine Edmonds I think is a really great football player. I think the Bills wanted to make him the cornerstone of the team. But at the same point, they are not going to pay $18 million a year for Tremaine Edmonds. They're not. They didn't. The Bears are going to. So I think just to paint him as a guy that's like, I think the Bills would have liked to have keep. Kept him if I'm, if I'm Sean McDermott too. Also like taking over the defense essentially this season, being, you know, the play caller for the defense. That's one more position group that, you know, Brandon Bean has to assess this offseason and we can talk about which direction they want to go in. But at the same point, I didn't think it was abundantly obvious that the Bills weren't going to resign Tremaine. But then when we got closer to the start of free agency then with them adding an extension to Matt Milano, it became obvious of, okay, yeah, it seems like to me they're shoring up their linebacking core with Milano because they know that they're not going to bring back Edmonds.

[B]

Now. Dan's other prediction may come true and I want to know what he thinks of it now. He said Terrell Bernard is going to be the starting linebacker. That was feeling about that.

[D]

It may be true and I don't know if I like it like we, we've talked about it before here, just the fact of whether it's a bridge linebacker, whether it's a bigger, more physical linebacker because you have Milano. But we were talking about it just before we came on here that maybe Milano's role changes a little bit. You know, know you're not going to be paying him $14 million a year at the back half of his, his contract, things that. But I want to get to Jen's point a few things. We've gone through enough free agencies where we kind of get a little bit of a picture of what Brandon Bean does, especially as he talks about draft developing and resign. And that was, to me, the biggest telltale sign was the fact of they didn't get a deal done before the season. And even with Josh and I know it's a deal. I will say the same thing right now on March 13 that I said about Tremaine Edmonds. The fact that there's not a deal done with Ed Oliver right now speaks volumes. It's the same way a deal didn't get done with Jordan Poyer. Like there are times when they take a calculated risk and they would like a deal like a team friendly deal, but very rarely do those happen in the NFL. So the fact that they didn't sign him heading into the season I thought was, as I said before, if he plays terrible, perfect, we're moving on. If he plays great, that means the team will be good. And he'll probably price this out anyway, so what does it matter? So where you say the Bills where Tremaine priced himself out, I think it's almost the Bills took that calculated risk and put themselves were a factor in why he got priced so high. Like if they would have wanted him, they could have signed him like the last 338 days and they didn't get a deal done. Like you have to look at this big picture and I understand.

[C]

Well, you also don't know what the other side of that was. They probably had a cap of the amount of money that they were going to give. Tremaine was like, Look, I am 24 years old. I this is my X season. I am a former first round pick. I am a guy that has been to a Pro Bowl. Like, just because a deal didn't get done doesn't mean that the Bills didn't try to do that.

[D]

I didn't say they didn't try. I'm saying is that it spoke 364 more days. Correct. Because they let it linger for this.

[C]

Long but you don't know if they let it linger. You don't know if they came to him and tried to sign him earlier. You don't know that. Mike, is that wrong? Like what do you.

[B]

No, it's. Both of you guys are right. I mean there's no, you know, these things are normally not so black and white like here's your deal, take it or whatever. They gave him the fifth year option. He's there playing, you know, he was Jenna, like we've talked about. He was the guy riding along with Allen and you know, you have obviously Josh Allen's the cornerstone of the franchise and they thought Edmonds, you know, because you're going to lose Poyer, you know, they thought Edmonds could be that guy. Well, you know, things change in the NFL and I would say this. Whoever you're bringing in to play that other spot, whether you're doing it with the second year guy Bernard, or you're bringing in a stopgap guy for a year or so, you're saving a lot of money at that position going forward and they're going to spend that money on the offense. So I think there was a point where there's only so much and maybe it's by linebacker, maybe it's by position, maybe it's offense and defense that they're like, this game is so different as it keeps getting more and more where teams are saying we like defense but man, we need a few stops and we got to score some points. That's the league. And I want to see him say, okay, we saved this cash on Tremaine. We're not going to be as good at linebacker, likely. Right. In whatever way, but we're going to score more points and that offense is going to be better and our best players quarterback. So let's go spend it on somebody that can help the quarterback.

[C]

Yeah, I think that's fair, too. I mean, look, before the season started, if you told me the Bills didn't resign Tremaine, I would not be shocked. I think the way he played this past season and looking at where they were going, you know, the expectations. And then again with. With, you know, Leslie Frazier stepping away. It. It did. I was like, okay, I could see why they would want to add or continue that, that stability, but I also get why they didn't want to pay him $18 million a year. I don't think that's ridiculous.

[B]

And by the way, I'm just going to throw this out there. So Leslie steps away. This team's plan appeared to be only so high on Tremaine. Probably didn't look great, them resigning him and Poyer gone. It might have impacted Leslie's thoughts on coming back, too.

[C]

Maybe that is the case.

[B]

That's big losses in terms of guys you count on. Sure. You know, it's going to be. This defense is going to be very different in the case this year. So that's a really.

[C]

I never thought about that, Mike.

[B]

Well, I mean, I'm thinking in big picture, like, yeah, they just. I get it yesterday that, that they had a number. I'm, you know, we agree, we don't ever know. So. But. But it still could have worked out. Like, it still eventually could have worked out. But there might have been that thought that, hey, this is where we're headed. This is what we're going to do. And it might have impacted what they're deciding to do on defense.

[D]

And that also goes to the point that I was talking about, Janet. Like, this whole. It's not just. You can't just pay a player based off one. One season or even one game. Like. Like that's what Bean is always talking about. And so you kind of know the limitations that Tremaine Edmonds has. And I think that was part of where you're right. I don't know that they didn't come to him and offer him 15 million during the season or 15 million before the season. But it seems like when those deals get done, there's a mutual Interest that like, hey, I want to stay in Buffalo. This is a good fit. And I look at this with. At Oliver going into the season. I look at this with Gabe Davis now, again, I'll say the same thing. They hope at Oliver plays well, but if he plays so well that he prices them out. Okay.

[B]

Yeah. Like, one other thing I wanted to add to this before we move to the other things they did is Edmonds and his side also knew the Bills were not in a position to put the franchise tag on anybody.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Based on where they were. So they. That actually helps certainly a lot because you don't have that added element of they can tag them and see what.

[C]

Happen over your head. Yeah.

[B]

So he knew that we get to this day, March 13, I can talk to anybody. And he did and he got signed. So I wish him well. I think he's a good guy. I think he was a good Buffalo Bill. But go get off and score 30.

[D]

I'm not sitting here. I'm not sitting here trashing him, saying he's not worth the money or that he's not a good player.

[C]

You literally said you didn't know if he could catch with. If the ball was thrown at his two hands. Well, like, here's my thing. I actually agree with you in some regard.

[D]

Prove me wrong. Spot the lie. Stop.

[C]

Do you hear yourself sometimes? No. My thing is too, like, I get. You're going to get. But here's. Here's where I see. Could see Brandon being. Making a thing. You're going to get paid for what you do ahead. And like, he spent five years in the system. He. He is. And I know we joke about this, but he is 24 years old.

[B]

Yeah. And it fits their mold. Jenna, you're right. I mean, they. They redid Josh's. You know, they gave Josh a deal. They gave Dion a deal. They gave Trey White a deal. They gave Matt Milano a deal. Like their top guys, they've brought back. This is off brand for the Bills. Would you agree with.

[D]

But all of those deals got done before the wire. Like Bean isn't.

[B]

I'm saying is. Yes.

[D]

So that. That was where I read the tea leaves, where I said, it's also.

[B]

They're also a different team now because now they're paying Josh, now they're paying Trey, now they're paying these guys. So the money is a little tighter in that way. I mean, there's only. I mean, we joke about the. The salary cap not being real, but. But there is a point where there's only so Much teams are going to spend.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

And, and hey, they'll move on again. Another guy to play linebacker.

[C]

Correct.

[B]

Score more points.

[C]

Yeah, Dan will be out there.

[D]

I'm just saying Tremaine is not irreplaceable. A very good player, played some at times very high level football, but his safety against Cleveland is the most memorable play that we can remember off the top of our heads.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Okay. All right.

[C]

All right. Should we go? Do we want to talk about replacement then?

[B]

Well, we, I mean we. Terrell Bernard, look, it's got an all off season, but he didn't even show. He really barely played in the defense, played some special teams, made a couple of plays. Didn't he have a fumble return in the preseason?

[C]

I can't remember.

[D]

Yes, yes. Like 75 yarder. Yeah, 75 yarder. First time, like first series.

[B]

He knows, they know he's got to get bigger, stronger, all those things. You know, some guys come in that way. He.

[C]

And maybe he looks like a safety, honestly.

[B]

Well, that role though, you know, when you talk about moving Milano, he's physically more like Milano. Yep. And Milano is a heck of a player. So, you know, my guess is they go get a veteran and then they see what they have, you know, with Bernard this year. Yeah, you gotta, you gotta bring in another veteran or two. Yeah.

[D]

I mean, I don't know if like that Dotson played when Tremaine was out, whether it's Dotson and a mixture of, of, you know, again, another veteran out there on a two or three year deal where the last two or three years of the deal are imaginary and they're fake.

[B]

It could be one year deal guys too, I'm telling you, in this league, especially at linebacker. Right.

[D]

But three years out might spread out the cap hit and also keep that real.

[B]

Mind, there's so many ways to pick up players. I mean, here we are, this is day one of the legal tampering part. And I mean players get signed all the time, teams make draft picks and then all of a sudden a veteran is expendable and then he's gone before June 1st or right after June 1st. So I would, I would just say these are the tougher decisions. This is when good football players go out the door. Jordan Poyer is likely to go next.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

And Tremaine Edmonds is gone and you know, you've got to replace those guys.

[C]

Yeah, no, that's true. Bills made some other moves as well. They signed offensive lineman Conner McGovern.

[D]

There's two of them.

[C]

There's two of them. But the one that played for the Cowboys, I think that's a smart move in terms of. We've, I mean, we talked about just the need for beefing up the offensive line and, yeah, I don't think Roger Saffold was back and.

[D]

Pro Bowl. Roger Saffold, Pro Bowl.

[C]

Pro Bowl. Alternate. Alternate. Alternate. Alternate.

[B]

I, I, I, the two guys with the same name is funny. I, I see this guy as I see versatility, and sometimes versatility worries me a little bit.

[C]

Yeah, totally fair.

[B]

Right? Because you know what I mean, Like, Dion's not versatile. He's your left tackle now and again. He signed here, and I, I hope the guy can play, and we'll see. He showed, certainly showed flashes of that with the Cowboys, but they've seen something in them. But I want to see, I want more coming in. I want another free agent. I want a draft pick. Like, I want offensive lineman to help Josh Allen.

[C]

I don't think it's dressed the offensive line.

[D]

I got a text from a buddy right away and said, you know, it's McGovern. A starter, or what are we looking at is a debt piece. And I said, I don't, I don't know. And he goes, that's not very convincing.

[C]

And I said, well, that might be telling, though.

[D]

Here's the thing. Not an all 22 guy. I found some clips on the Internet. He is, I was gonna say, he kind of reminded me of a Tommy Doyle, where he can be the sixth offensive lineman. He goes, so he's like Bobby Hart. And I was like, I don't know. I don't know, Jim. But I, I, what I liked about this guy is that again, Mike makes a great point. We talk about it, it's like the utility infielder on a baseball team. You're really good at. You're pretty good at all the positions, but you're not really good enough to be the number one at any of the positions. I think that's where McGovern is a little bit. I like his versatility. Now it comes down to, can he be coached and utilized to be that?

[C]

No, I agree. Again, yeah, I think it's, they're, they're doing a good job creating competition, getting guys in. I mean, they signed Ike Bucker back. Like, there's, there's going to be a lot of compet. But at the same point, I think it's, there's still a lot more to be done in terms of the position group and just going forward, and there's.

[D]

There'S nothing I was looking at and some somebody said it on NFL Network. I can't remember who it was and I thought it was very telling because to me it hit home with the Bills. So the guy said that it's not the best, it's not about the best 53 man roster. It's about the right 53 man roster that works for a team and a culture that and the coaching staff. And I thought that was, was very telling because I think this team has wanted to be more physical. I don't know if they've had the roster to be that physical style of team. And so where we looked at last year and we said, man, this 53 man roster is the best, it's the most talented. Maybe it wasn't right for this coaching staff. Maybe it won't still be right for the coaching staff. I think we still have some questions about my guy, Ken Dorsey. But I will say that like there are some things that it's not always the big name tickets. And Mike was 100% right. He thought that when free agency started there'd be crickets and there would be this little sense of panic of like, oh my gosh, the Bills aren't doing anything. I think Mike said it right on the head.

[B]

Yeah, sit back a little bit. I did not see them as being first day spenders. No. You know, and it's, it's funny when your team makes that move, a lot of people are excited and they should be. And then you sit back and go, wow, we're paying a lot of money for Tremaine Edmonds or McGlinchey the tackle who had like half of a good year. You know what I mean? Like guys got paid. Javon Hargrave was awesome for the Eagles. He got a ton of money from the 49ers and that's great, but that's teams making big decisions on guys to give them huge money. And you know, it's left tackles and D linemen. That's where you're supposed to spend the money. But the Bills are now beans now at least a little freed up. They got a little more cap space than they had before because you know Tremaine Edmonds is going to be off the books.

[C]

Yeah. So the Bills resigning Sam Martin as well as Tyler Manicovich, some special teams and then real quick, just Aaron Rodgers. It's not official yet, but the just in terms of him joining the Jets.

[B]

Well, it hasn't happened yet. And you skipped by Case Canum leaving.

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

So the Bills need to back up. What about Aaron Rodgers? Coming into Buffalo. I mean, why not?

[C]

Of course.

[B]

Let's get that started. You know, God, he. You're right.

[C]

Loves the attention.

[B]

Oh, my God, I feel bad for him.

[D]

He hates all this attention and everybody talking about him. I gotta run. You guys finish up. I got a screaming baby upstairs and a sick wife. So you guys finish up. I will post this later. Just so you know.

[B]

I'm gonna get your coffee, fill it with ice, leave it on your desk. It should be nice and watered down when you get it tomorrow.

[D]

All right. Vacation, Mike. I appreciate it.

[B]

Oh, Jenna. Jenna, what are we gonna do with him?

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

Oh, my God. And if Bernard plays and is a star linebacker, he's going to take credit for that, too.

[C]

My stomach again. We were talking in the sports office a little inside baseball. Mike and I were like, now I'm just committed to them resigning Tremaine because.

[B]

Because. Right.

[C]

I don't even know if it's the best move for the team, but screw it. I just don't want Dan to be right.

[B]

So Dan's gone up to see his baby, his little girl, Shane. And when Shane is crying, does he say, shane, Dan was right.

[C]

I mean, he was downright disrespectful to Jermaine Edmonds.

[B]

Yeah, I mean, I get what he's saying, you know, he's trying to say, is there another Tremaine Evans is a good football player and the Bills are going to miss him. The idea is, can you make up for the money you spend? Align. Align it somewhere else. Put it in another position. Get good play out of linebacker position. Change some of your scheme around, like, whatever they need to do, you know, which would be big, but, man. God.

[C]

Oh, I know. All right, wait. Let's quick, quickly touch on the Case Keenum because I did forget to mention that going to the Texans, I mean, we talked about Sam Darnold possibly being a backup. Obviously he's going to the 49ers. Like, what do you think the Bills do in terms of. Do they leave Matt Barkley? Do they grab another guy? What do you. What do you expect?

[B]

They kept Barkley in that spot before. I think they like him as that, like, third guy. I. I want a guy who can step in and play. I do not want a rookie. I don't want a young guy who hasn't played. My thought on the backup quarterback is, can he come in for a quarter a game? That's the one thing about Case Keenum, and I'm not blaming Case Keenum. I would have liked I said this to you before. I would have liked to have seen when Josh hurt that elbow. Maybe he sat for a game or two.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Got healthier, faster. Because you had confidence that Keenum could come in. And that's not all on Keenum. No, that's on this offense which was so Josh dependent that you almost felt like you couldn't sit him down. Yeah, but it's not about replacing Josh Allen. Look, if Josh is playing, you got a shot. If Josh was out for more than a little bit. I mean, come on, he's Josh Allen. But I mean, you even saw with the Chiefs in the playoff game against Jacksonville. Mahomes went out. Yeah, he let him down the field and he scored a touchdown. I mean, he almost threw a terrible pick, but he did lead him down there. That's what you need. Let us survive and go. So I want a guy like that. I don't know who it'll be, but I want somebody that's played in the league. I do not want the backup to be a kid. I don't want it to be some 6th round draft pick. I honestly, I'd probably rather have Matt Barkley as the two than a kid who has never played. And I don't see any need to get a young quarterback in. I think Barkley's on your practice squad and. And a veteran is your backup. So.

[C]

Yeah, I agree. I think you, you can't go kid. You go Matt Barkley if kind of.

[B]

Can I get Mitchell Trubisky back? I think he might be. I don't know.

[C]

Seriously?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

All right, let's go back then to what we were talking about. About Aaron Rodgers.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

The darkness, retreat, some of that stuff. I just.

[B]

Yeah. If you're the jets, though, you are think about being a Jets fan. Right. You've been, you've had these moments like when, you know, very small. When Rex was there, before that when Parcels was there. But you've been bad. That's a heck of a roster.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

With no quarterback play last year. And by the way, a brief aside, love the Mike White. White signing for the Dolphins.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Love it for them. Like him as a backup. You know, he can play and look at who he's got on the outside down there if he has to play.

[C]

Excuse me.

[B]

I don't know. Would you May. You know, but Rogers, I mean, the jets got. I mean, they were playing Flacco. I mean, I mean, seriously, you know, and, and Wilson's been terrible.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You're talking about Aaron Rodgers with all his nuttiness. They could do it.

[C]

I mean, yeah, they have a talented offense. You're getting Breece hall back. You have Garrett Wilson, who's fantastic. The defense is really good. It's just, I feel like every year we talk about the. The teams around the Bills getting better in the division and like, it's.

[B]

It's the case.

[C]

It is. And like, we, you know, the Bills always say, you got to start with the division, got to win the division. It's like. Yeah. Because the division is getting a lot tougher. The Bills split with the Dolphins this year, they split with the jets this year. Like, these are real implications for what can happen in the postseason. And they're getting better. How are you?

[B]

Yeah, how. How about. They've played five games against the jets and the Dolphins, and they were all basically dogfights, every one of them. You know, that second jets game they ended up. But that was. That was tight the whole way through. And the Dolphins, in that case, the Patriots. It's funny to me right now, you know, we'll see what ends up happening. The Patriots are the clear fourth team. If Rogers goes to the jets, just talent wise, quarterback wise, everything, they're the last place team. We'll see what they end up doing, but they're the fourth team.

[C]

So I will say, long term, I'm happy the jets didn't get Lamar, but obviously still having Aaron Rodgers, hall of Fame quarterback is something to contend with. I'm curious how it all go down, though, with the media and with, like, with Rogers and just.

[B]

But I think that team is going to embrace Rogers.

[C]

Oh, I do too. Guys, team Will.

[B]

Sauce loves him. He knows he's gonna go in there as the conquering hero and he'll. He'll. And unquestioned, just go play. You know, he's not going to worry about Garrett or Zach Wilson, you know. Yeah. So they can date the same women. I'm sorry.

[C]

That was funny. Okay. Anything else? I'm trying to think.

[B]

Nah, I mean, I just. I was checking stuff. Dan always thinks I'm not paying attention to him, but I was just checking to see if anything had updated. Usually even the GMs get a little bit of a break here to see.

[C]

If anything after dark. We're recording this at like a little, like seven o'. Clock. A little after seven?

[B]

Yeah. But we'll see. Don't panic.

[C]

I feel like it's like Bill's fans, though. It's like I said to you, it's like you're at a school dance and everyone's getting picked but you.

[B]

Does that happen to you, Jenna?

[C]

Yeah. Oh, my gosh. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

It's happened to everyone.

[B]

Yeah. Okay.

[C]

You know how tall I am?

[B]

You know these.

[C]

Chewbacca on the dance floor?

[B]

Yeah. All these seventh graders looking up tall girl.

[C]

I vividly remember being in fifth grade and coming home crying to my mom. And she was like, what's wrong? I was like, will their boys ever be taller than me? She's like, you got to give it time. Yeah, that's how it is. All right, for Mike, who is here, Dan who is not here, I'm Jenna. Please be sure to, like, comment and subscribe. We'll have plenty more updates as the bills are gonna be hopefully doing a bunch in free agency. And yeah, we always appreciate everyone stopping by and listening. And please, again, be sure to, like, comment, subscribe.