Buffalo Plus Podcast: The START of FREE AGENCY for the BILLS + What happened around the REST of the NFL

Date: March 10, 2026
Hosts: Mike Catalana & Dan Fetes (Jenna Cottrell on vacation)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Buffalo Bills' approach at the start of NFL free agency, including recent moves, departures, and league-wide activity. The hosts, both seasoned Bills reporters, dissect Buffalo’s strategy, analyze the implications of league transactions, and offer inside locker room perspective. They also touch on how NFL free agency has evolved and tease an upcoming foray into Buffalo Sabres coverage.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Bills Free Agency Status & Notable Moves

• Bills’ Early Activity:

  • Major recent moves before legal tampering:
    • Re-signing Connor McGovern (now the fourth highest paid center).
    • Trading for WR DJ Moore.
  • Departures prior to the opening of free agency:
    • Mitch Trubisky to the Tennessee Titans.
    • Reggie Gilliam to the New England Patriots.
    • David Edwards to the New Orleans Saints.

  “They made two pretty good moves to get to this point, at least bigger moves to get to this point.” – Mike (03:25)

  • Quiet on Opening Day:

    • At recording (4:11pm Monday), mostly about players leaving Buffalo.

  • Center Market Explosion:

    • Tyler Linderbaum’s record-setting three-year, $81 million contract highlighted.

    “The highest paid interior in NFL history.” – Dan (04:08)

2. Analysis of the DJ Moore Trade

• Trade Recap: Bills acquire DJ Moore, giving up a 2nd round pick.

• Comparison with Michael Pittman Trade:

  • Pittman traded to Steelers for a late-round swap, then signed a cheaper extension than Moore.
  • Debate over whether giving up a 2nd rounder and paying Moore is worthwhile.

  “I'm a firm believer that the Bills should not have been giving up that high of a pick.” – Mike (14:31) “I want to...reserve my judgment and change my opinion and thoughts on the DJ Moore trade when we see what the contract gets restructured to be.” – Dan (13:03)

• Insider Note:

  • Bills checked in on A.J. Brown and Alec Pierce but balked at Pierce’s record $114M deal.

3. Bills’ Cap Management & Backup QB Talk

• Discussion about not over-investing in backup QB, with Mitch Trubisky gone.

• Likely direction is to find a cost-effective backup.

  • Names floated: Mike White, Marcus Mariota (but ruled out at $7M/yr).

  “I just don't see them paying four or five million dollars for a backup quarterback. It just doesn't make sense.” – Dan (06:23) "When you need that backup quarterback...it is for two series. It’s for one game. It is for a third quarter, a half.” – Mike (07:49)

4. Reggie Gilliam’s Departure to Patriots

• Impact: Loss on both fullback/running game (notably on “tush push” plays) and special teams.

• Possibility that Jackson Haw’s role expands as an H-back.

• Open question about Dawson Knox’s future as of recording.

  “He was a key piece of the running game. And then he was a core special teamer, so that's another hole that you need to fill.” – Dan (09:54)

5. Around the NFL: Major FA Moves & Market Trends

• Notable Contracts & Trades:
  • Alec Pierce’s historic WR deal with the Colts: 4 years, $114M ($80M guaranteed).
  • Pass rushers on the move: Adaf O to the Commanders ($100M), Bo Mafe to Bengals ($60M).
  • Mike Evans leaves Tampa for the 49ers.
  • Dolphins cutting/trading veterans (including Tua, Malik Willis signed).
• Observations:
  • Chiefs lose three key secondary members but add RB Kenneth Walker.
  • Titans, Saints, and others spending big in free agency.

6. AFC East Check-In

• Jets: Improving defense but skepticism over long-term relevance.

• Dolphins: Mass exodus, "tank from Tua" era begins.

• Patriots: Utilizing cap space, picking up Bills cast-offs.

  “I think we got two tanking teams still in the division.” – Mike (24:45)

7. Historical Perspective: Free Agency Then vs. Now

• Mike shares how news broke in the pre-internet era (fax, Associated Press, evening news).

• Early days of no free agency, then "Plan B" system, then modern FA.

• Teams and fans heard of major moves like the release of Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith, and Andre Reed by fax or wire.

  "There was no social media, there's no Internet. Like, I don't know if we—the carrier pigeon dropped in." – Mike and Dan (00:13, 28:09)

• Memorable Story:

  • Breaking Jim Kelly’s contract news, holding it for nightly TV bulletin to beat the newspapers.

8. Listener Engagement & Sabres Teaser

• Encouragement for comments and feedback on free agent moves.

• Discussion of potentially doing a Buffalo Sabres episode following the excitement of their big recent win.

• Both hosts share childhood Sabres stories.

  “Would you be interested in a little Sabers talk? ... It’s not just Bills Plus, like this is the fan base.” – Dan (37:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Conner McGovern and Coaching Philosophy:

  “The first thing Aaron Cromer said to me...was my job is to make you the best player so that when your contract comes up that the Bills can't afford you. That is what he tells to everybody.” – Dan, quoting McGovern (04:28)

• Sarcastic Take on Social Media “Insiders”:

  “They show him with the cell phone, like he has the nuclear codes.” – Mike on Adam Schefter (01:31)

• Perspective on Overpaying in FA:

  “You get paid in the NFL for what you're going to do, not what you have done.” – Dan (11:33)

• Historical Humor:

  “I was calling people...Carrier pigeon dropped in.” – Mike (00:32, 28:09)

• On the AFC East:

  "I think we got two tanking teams still in the division." – Mike (24:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:42 – Episode proper starts; Jenna on vacation.
• 01:44 – Recording time disclaimer; waiting on Bills news.
• 02:24 – Recap of early Bills moves and free agency departures.
• 03:25 – Analysis of McGovern re-signing.
• 04:28 – Coach Cromer’s philosophy and impact on player’s careers.
• 05:09 – Breaking NFL FA signings: pass rushers moving.
• 05:43 – Trubisky to Titans; backup quarterback options.
• 08:42 – On Reggie Gilliam’s move to Patriots; impact on Bills.
• 10:25 – Uncertainty around Dawson Knox.
• 11:04–13:03 – Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, and the WR market.
• 13:03–16:25 – DJ Moore trade debate; impact on picks and cap.
• 17:41 – DJ Moore vs. Michael Pittman; evaluating value.
• 19:19 – Exploding center market; Linderbaum’s contract.
• 20:02–21:10 – Mike Evans signs with 49ers.
• 21:26 – Chiefs lose secondary players; add Kenneth Walker.
• 23:59 – Dolphins’ dead cap purge.
• 25:01 – AFC East roundup: Patriots, Dolphins, Jets.
• 25:40–33:07 – Mike’s history with NFL free agency & breaking news in the pre-internet era.
• 37:11 – Introducing a possible Sabres spin-off for Buffalo Plus.
• 39:08 – Sabres fan nostalgia; linking Bills/Sabres cultures.
• 40:46 – Wrap-up, call for comments, Bills’ FA outlook.

Takeaway Insights

• Bills are in a holding pattern: Big moves made early, but fans shouldn’t read the current quiet as inactivity—expect more defense-heavy action.
• Free agency is wild and the price of key positions, especially center and wide receiver, is surging.
• The DJ Moore trade remains widely debated due to its cost in picks and salary, especially compared to similar moves around the league.
• AFC East is in flux, with the Patriots spending, Dolphins purging, and Jets perpetually stuck in irrelevance barring a QB miracle.
• Historical perspective showcases how dramatically player movement and team-building—and the media’s coverage—have changed.
• Buffalo sports pride is strong, and the future may include some Sabres talk on Buffalo Plus.

Final Thoughts

• Fans are encouraged to share their own free agency takes and reactions.
• Buffalo Plus maintains an optimistic, measured tone: calculated patience over panic regarding roster moves.
• Potential for new content avenues (like Sabres coverage) signals Buffalo Plus’ ongoing investment in the WNY sports community.

For more Bills coverage, subscribe to Buffalo Plus and stay tuned for rapid free agency updates and possible Sabres content!