Buffalo Plus Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: What SHOULD BRANDON BEANE'S plan be when BUILDING the BUFFALO BILLS in 2024?
Air Date: February 20, 2024
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Overview

In this spirited discussion, the Buffalo Plus team dives deep into the daunting offseason facing Buffalo Bills General Manager Brandon Beane. The hosts dissect salary cap conundrums, the need for strategic roster decisions, the Bills’ ongoing window for Super Bowl contention, and the critical draft and free agency moves ahead. The conversation is peppered with humor, hot takes, and a candid look at the tough choices and emotional farewells that may await the franchise in 2024.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Pressure on Brandon Beane

• Beane Under the Microscope: The group unanimously agrees that 2024 is a pivotal year for Beane, arguably with more pressure than Head Coach Sean McDermott.
  • Quote (Dan): “I think there is more pressure this offseason on Brandon Bean than Sean McDermott.” [01:15]
  • Mistakes like the Von Miller contract, the Kair Elam draft pick, and the ongoing uncertainty around Stefon Diggs are highlighted as Beane’s responsibilities.
  • The hosts stress the importance of “hitting” on draft picks with Beane holding 10 selections.

Manipulating the Salary Cap

• Cap Management Philosophy: The debate centers on whether the Bills should “kick the can down the road” and aggressively manage their cap, similar to teams like the Rams and Saints.
  • Quote (Mike): “I want Brandon Bean to show he is the best kicker in the franchise and just kick that can down the road.” [01:40]
  • The Saints are brought up as a cautionary tale but contrasted with how the Rams have navigated heavy dead cap and managed to rebuild quickly via the draft.
  • Emphasis on how successful teams mask “cap hell” by drafting and developing inexpensive talent.

Draft Performance & Crucial Picks

• Hit-Or-Miss Drafts: The Bills’ ability to find value, particularly in late rounds (ex: Khalil Shakir, Terrel Bernard), is credited as key to building the roster.
  • However, misses like Kair Elam and struggles at running back (before James Cook) are acknowledged.
  • The hosts argue that role players aren’t enough; the Bills need stars from the draft this year.

Wide Receiver Room: Draft, Free Agency, and Diggs

• The current state is seen as insufficient—Gabe Davis is expected to depart, and Shakir isn’t regarded as a top-tier complement.
  • Quote (Dan): “You need to find a wide receiver that can massively impact games. You need a game-changing talent in this draft class.” [34:49]
  • Mike and Jenna agree that trading or releasing Diggs isn’t viable due to his contract and dead cap; he's viewed as still top-10 to top-15 league-wide.
  • Discussion of potential targets: preference is for drafting young, impactful receivers rather than spending big in free agency (e.g., Mike Evans, Brandon Aiyuk), though names are playfully suggested.

Handling Emotional Roster Decisions: Tre’Davious White, Hyde, Poyer

• Trey White’s Future Uncertain:
  • The likelihood of White’s release is debated given his injury history, cap implications, and diminished on-field presence the last two seasons.
  • There’s recognition of his importance to the locker room and the emotional ripple moves like this can cause.
  • Quote (Mike): “I think he’s going to be gone. ... It is cold, hard facts of this league. And look, they’ve learned how to play without Trey White.” [16:29]
  • The possibility of White retiring is also brought up, with general agreement that he may be ready for life after football.
• Safety Room in Transition:
  • Micah Hyde’s future is in his own hands; the Bills will likely proceed as if he won’t return, but would welcome him back if he decided to play.
  • Jordan Poyer’s play is critiqued—he may not be retained unless on a team-friendly deal.

Defensive Roster & Youth Movement

• The need for youth is emphasized across the board—especially on the defensive line and in the secondary.
  • Leonard Floyd and other older role players likely to be priced out or not a priority for re-signing.
  • AJ Epenesa is named as a rotational lineman the team should attempt to re-sign.
  • DaQuan Jones is a possible exception in the search for defensive tackles due to positional value despite age.

Remaining Cap & Roster Restructures

• Josh Allen, Matt Milano, Ed Oliver, and Dawson Knox are mentioned as prime candidates for restructuring to find cap room.
  • Quote (Mike): “It’s crazy how that works—there goes $27 million.” [31:41]
• Stefon Diggs’ new contract means he’s staying—the cap hit is too much to absorb otherwise.
• Center Mitch Morse could be asked to take a pay cut or have void years added to restructure his cap hit.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The secret sauce to make this all work: you need to draft well.” (Dan) [05:45]
• “With 10 picks, there is ammo there—there are packed deals. I don’t expect them to use all of those.” (Jenna) [09:52]
• “If he’s not going to be a starter, he’s not going to be in Buffalo.” (Mike, on Tre’Davious White) [23:07]
• “You need a game-changing talent in this draft class…It has to be somebody that can take some of the pressure off of Stefon Diggs.” (Dan) [34:49]
• “Sometimes you gotta make those decisions…it’s sad, it’s hard, but sometimes you have to.” (Mike, on emotional roster cuts) [23:23]
• “Draft, develop, re-sign—that’s what they want with A.J. Epenesa.” (Jenna) [42:37]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Pressure on Bean: [01:15], [08:00]
• Kicking the Can/Salary Cap Myths: [01:40], [03:21]
• Draft Mistakes & Hits: [05:06], [06:19], [07:00]
• 2024 Draft Importance & WR Need: [09:00], [34:21], [34:49]
• Trey White’s Uncertain Future: [15:56], [16:29], [17:58], [19:03], [29:09]
• Micah Hyde/Poyer Talk & Safety Room: [18:04], [39:02], [39:52], [40:27]
• Defensive Line & Youth Movement: [37:44], [41:08], [41:47], [42:03], [42:43]
• Cap Restructurings: [31:41], [32:08]
• Stefon Diggs/Draft WRs: [32:28], [33:29], [33:44]

Tone & Style

The hosts blend sharp insight with playful banter and candid, sometimes emotional opinions. Dan often delivers “hot takes,” Mike offers historical perspective, and Jenna is credited as the emotional conscience, especially regarding beloved players approaching the end of their Bills careers. The group’s friendly sparring and willingness to call out each other's takes make the episode lively and accessible for both die-hard and casual fans.

Summary Takeaways

• Brandon Beane’s decisions in 2024—especially in the draft, salary cap moves, and handling of aging stars—will set the course for Buffalo’s Super Bowl aspirations.
• Youth and cost control are paramount; the roster needs difference-makers, not just solid role players.
• Emotional farewells to long-tenured Bills (like Tre’Davious White and Micah Hyde) are inevitable—and how Beane handles them will matter in the locker room.
• The “kick the can” salary cap playbook is here to stay, but it only works if the Bills draft well and avoid personnel mistakes.
• Despite calls for a shakeup at the skill positions, logic and financials dictate Diggs remains a focal point.
• The Bills must make hard, sometimes heartless, decisions to keep the Super Bowl window pried open in a rapidly changing AFC.