Buffalo Plus Podcast Summary

Episode: "What we've LEARNED [so far] about the 2024 BUFFALO BILLS and is JOSH ALLEN 'underpaid?'"

Release Date: August 22, 2024
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Overview

In this episode, the Buffalo Plus team—Mike, Jenna, and Dan—break down what they've learned about the Buffalo Bills throughout training camp leading up to the 2024 season. The hosts debate the team's most pressing questions, analyze specific position battles, discuss the atmosphere in the locker room after key departures, and delve into the topic of Josh Allen's contract situation amidst a rapidly inflating QB market.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

What We've Learned from 2024 Training Camp

Offense: Still a Mystery

• Despite watching practices and preseason, there's uncertainty about how the offense will function with so many new faces, particularly among wide receivers.
• Lack of preseason reps for Josh Allen and the starters leaves many questions unanswered.
  • "What we don't know is how they're going to make this offense work." —Mike Catalana (01:46)
• Preseason QB play (specifically Mitch Trubisky) has made evaluating the offense and WRs difficult.
  • "I just still wanted to see some rhythm. I wanted to see some continuity." —Dan Fates (04:50)

Wide Receiver Room: Bright Spots and Open Questions

• Dalton Kincaid and Khalil Shakir have both impressed, exceeding expectations.
  • "Kincaid's really good. Shakir's really good. And Shakir, I think, is going to be better than I was anticipating him being." —Mike Catalana (06:36)
• Keon Coleman (rookie WR) appears serious, hard-working, and focused on earning Allen's trust.
  • Jenna describes being happy to see Coleman's "rookie" approach: "I have to get my [act] together... I need to know the playbook. I need to be studying. I need to be taking things seriously." (08:35)
• Unexpected impact from Mack Hollins (WR): hosts suggest he’ll have a bigger role than anticipated.
  • "I think he's much more a wide receiver that is also a damn good special teamer." —Dan Fates (11:32)

Backup QB Situation: Ongoing Frustration

• Mitch Trubisky's preseason has been poor, leading to irritation among the team and media.
  • "If the requirement to be a backup in Buffalo is to be Josh Allen's friend, which I'm fine with, there are cheaper friends." —Dan Fates (15:14)
• Hosts would prefer the team develop a cheap, young QB over paying Trubisky.
• "I wanted to get the Trubisky take off my back because people were saying about. ...He wasn't good. And I think it... I can't even judge the offensive line because of how poorly Mitch played." —Dan Fates (17:54)

Center Transition: McGovern Eases Concerns

• Early worries about Connor McGovern's adjustment to center have lessened.
  • "I feel a lot more confident now in his ability and his rapport with Josh than I did before camp started." —Jenna Cottrell (23:58)

Defense: Navigating Injuries and New Leaders

• Loss of Matt Milano for the start of the season is viewed as significant, but the team has weathered this before.
  • "In a weird way, they're used to life without Milano. This is nothing that they unfortunately haven't had to deal with before." —Dan Fates (02:08)
• Uncertainty remains at safety with new faces and injuries.
• Leadership transition following departures of longtime captains (Hyde, Poyer, Diggs).
  • "The group collectively, it doesn't feel like there's a... I just feel like they seem like they're having—I don't want to say having more fun—but I just feel that..." —Jenna Cottrell (25:23)

Leadership and Locker Room Vibe

A “Freer” Atmosphere

• The departure of Stefon Diggs (and others) has resulted in a lighter, "freer," and more “fresh” team environment.
  • Jenna: "I feel like this team feels more free to me. ...there's a lot of new faces. ...there has been a retooling maybe of what this team has looked like." (25:23)
• Dan elaborates: some players and coaches simply have expiration dates on a team; Diggs' relentless personality might have become exhausting over time. (26:14–27:18)
• Mike points out that leadership now comes from different sources: Dion Dawkins, Dawson Knox, Taron Johnson, Terrel Bernard, Russell Douglas.

Josh Allen's Contract: Is He Underpaid?

Quarterbacks and the Ever-Growing Market

• Josh Allen is now outside the top 10 in QB salaries as the market has exploded since his last extension.
  • "Listen, everyone's gonna have their day, and I'm happy that everyone's getting what they're worth. ...I've got no problem with where I'm at right now." —Josh Allen (played on podcast, 34:07)
• Mike: "I love the part when he says, 'And I'll probably have another day.' Because he will." (34:40)
• The panel agrees Allen's security means he doesn't need to worry about wages; he'll get another big deal and makes plenty via endorsements.
• General skepticism toward contract discourse and “salary cap is fake” talk.
  • "It's like half my water. Water is wet. Josh Allen's gonna look underpaid till he gets another contract because he's really good and other guys are making more, which doesn't make sense." —Jenna Cottrell (39:09)
  • "[NFL salary cap] is about the big guys. ...they can manipulate it." —Mike Catalana (38:22)

Fun and Notable Moments

• Jugs Machine Incident: Dan jokes about injuring his face on a jugs machine, leading to playful banter (00:16, 32:35).
• Locker Room Leadership: Fresh leadership dynamic, with more players stepping up vocally and culturally after long-tenured veterans departed (25:23–30:13).
• Matt Hollins Praise: Unexpected recognition for Mack Hollins as having more offensive upside than expected (12:41).
• Gift Segment: Dave the Gnome Guy sends Dan a custom Brian Daboll & Joe Brady pillowcase (40:34).
• Wedding Talk: Dan to officiate Jenna’s wedding, offering a light-hearted inside look at the team’s chemistry off the air (43:04–43:44).

Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps & Speaker Attribution)

• "What we don't know is how they're going to make this offense work." —Mike Catalana (01:46)
• "Kincaid's really good. Shakir's really good. ...Shakir, I think, is going to be better than I was anticipating him being." —Mike Catalana (06:36)
• "If the requirement to be a backup in Buffalo is to be Josh Allen's friend... there are cheaper friends." —Dan Fates (15:14)
• "I feel a lot more confident now in his ability and his rapport with Josh than I did before camp started." —Jenna Cottrell (23:58)
• "I feel like this team feels more free to me." —Jenna Cottrell (25:23)
• "Players and personalities maybe aren't meant to be at a place for 10 to 15 years." —Dan Fates (27:18)
• "Listen, everyone's gonna have their day, and I'm happy that everyone's getting what they're worth." —Josh Allen (34:07)
• "It's like half my water. Water is wet. Josh Allen's gonna look underpaid till he gets another contract." —Jenna Cottrell (39:09)

Important Timestamps

• 01:15–06:46: Early camp takeaways, injuries, and offensive unknowns
• 06:49–13:31: Wide receivers discussion: Kincaid, Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Mack Hollins
• 13:31–21:48: Backup QB frustrations, value and reality of Trubisky, and possible alternatives
• 23:02–24:36: Connor McGovern’s transition to center and o-line confidence
• 24:46–32:18: Leadership and the new locker room vibe—life after Diggs, Poyer, and Hyde
• 34:07–39:09: Josh Allen's contract; QB market inflation and salary cap discourse
• 40:13: Dave the Gnome's gift and hosts' fun reactions
• 43:04–44:48: Jenna’s wedding plans and team camaraderie

Closing Thoughts

This episode offers a wide-ranging, candid discussion about the 2024 Buffalo Bills’ unknowns and emerging positives as camp concludes. The hosts balance deep football analysis with behind-the-scenes locker room insight and their signature brand of humor and chemistry, making this a valuable listen for both die-hard Bills fans and casual observers.