Buffalo Plus Podcast Episode Summary Episode: What's the BILLS' offseason PLAN on OFFENSE: Connor MCGOVERN & Dawson KNOX + Life ADVICE
Date: March 5, 2026
Panel: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Buffalo Bills' offseason strategy on the offensive side of the ball. The team discusses contract situations for key offensive linemen, the tricky wide receiver room, tight end conundrums, and running back stability. They offer plenty of insight, insider anecdotes, and a healthy dose of the podcast’s trademark humor. The end of the episode features their "Life Advice" segment, tackling listener questions on family, thermostats, and career uncertainty.

NFL News & Chiefs-Rams Trade

(00:36–11:01)

Key Topics

• Chiefs Trade DB Trent McDuffie to Rams:

  • Rams receive McDuffie and reportedly will make him one of the league's highest-paid corners.
  • Chiefs get four picks, including #29 overall, now holding #9 and #29 in the first round.
  • Players' reactions (Mahomes: “Damn.”— 04:52).

• Discussion on McDuffie’s Fit:

  • Panel skepticism if McDuffie will flourish outside after excelling in the slot.
  • Carl Jones (ex-Syracuse DB) weighs in: “If you had the size and speed, they would never put you in the slot to begin with.” (06:21)

• Rams’ Boldness in Team Building:

  • Admiration for Rams “F-them-picks” approach, willingness to take swings, and skill in drafting and trading.
  • Jenna: “They’re not afraid to make moves. They’re all about adding for now and figuring it out down the line.” (08:55)

Buffalo Bills Offensive Line Contracts & Questions

(11:43–31:38)

Conor McGovern's Future

• Report by Tim Graham:

  • McGovern hasn’t been contacted by the Bills (12:21).
  • Jenna: “To not have had communication with the team in two months or a month and a half, that is what is shocking to me.” (13:32)
  • Mike: “...the quote to me sounds like I haven’t heard a word from the Bills since I left there.” (12:49)
  • McGovern's market value: $16.3M/year. Unlikely to re-sign, but panel surprised there’s zero dialogue.

• Offensive Line as ‘Plan A’:

  • “If you don’t have the skill position players, your Plan A has been James Cook and the offensive line.” — Dan (18:19)
  • Panel expresses concern that letting McGovern and/or Edwards go would break up a rare team strength.

Other Offensive Line Notes

• David Edwards:

  • UFA, age 29, market value $19.9M/year — likely gone despite strong performance (26:59).

• Osiris Torrence:

  • Extension candidate, final rookie year, 99.73% snap count, $13.1M/year projected. Panel urges an early deal.

• Dion Dawkins & Others:

  • Possibility for Dawkins restructure due to age (turning 32) and cap hit.

Wide Receiver Room: Big Questions and Limited Answers

(31:44–42:41)

Main Points

• Khalil Shakir:

  • Recent ankle surgery—he's developing, but panel debates if that's enough (24:08, 46:56).

• Josh Palmer:

  • Underwhelmed due to injury; panel not convinced he fits. Jenna: “I do just worry about his fit.” (33:18)
  • Dan: “I’m giving Palmer the benefit of the doubt, but I’m not buying any stock in Palmer.” (35:41)

• Curtis Samuel:

  • Likely cap casualty; noted as a “swing” but not the big kind Buffalo needs (36:11).

• Keon Coleman:

  • FO publicly supportive, but trust is thin. Dan vows not to overhype good training camp reps (41:04).
  • Potentially shopped for a Day 2 pick, but Mike notes, “You're using Keon to move up... you're using it to move up so you can say you got a Day 2 pick, and you did—but you gave up a Day early three pick and you gave up the player.” (39:38)

• Potential Additions:

  • Panel (Mike and Dan) advocates for a real “top” WR acquisition, referencing Mike Evans as a great fit if price is right and injury history is considered in negotiations.
  • Mike on Evans: “He’s a dog. I think he is a Hall of Fame wide receiver.” (44:17)

Tight End Situation: The Knox-Kincaid Dilemma

(42:42–52:55)

Dalton Kincaid

• Fifth-year option:
  • Dalton had a torn PCL; no surgery planned. 12 games, 39 catches, 5 TDs.
  • Panel uncertain if he’ll be extended long-term due to injuries.
  • Dan: “There needs to be more of a sample size, more of an impact…” (48:57)
  • Kincaid’s run-blocking still subpar—limits offense’s versatility.

Dawson Knox

• Restructure or Release?
  • Cap hit: $17M; Dead cap: $7.4M.
  • Mike: “Bills are going to make him take a cut… Bean had to admit he’s overpaid.” (50:19)
  • Setting up for a Milano-type restructure.

Other Notes

• Jackson Hawes emerging as a quality blocking TE and potential sleeper.
• Panel agrees: Kincaid and Knox both valued by Josh Allen for chemistry, but major retooling possible.

Running Backs & Quarterback

• RB Room (53:13)

  • James Cook: Stable, valuable.
  • Ty Johnson: Underused, still offers value, especially in passing game.
  • Ray Davis: Strong young return options.
  • Reggie Gilliam (FB): Would bring back for his “tush push” role.

• QB2: Mitch Trubisky

  • Could return, but Dan objects to paying him starter-level backup money; find value instead.

Life Advice Segment

(55:01–74:14; Highlights only)

Family Relationships & Boundaries

• Question: How much should parents initiate family involvement in their child’s life if extended family doesn’t reciprocate?
• Consensus:
  • Don’t force it; open invitation policy is best.
  • Jenna: “I always feel like I don’t want to be a burden... had to kind of get over [asking].” (59:04)
  • Dan: “There’s always times where we do say to my mom, would you like to see the girls... sometimes we initiate.” (57:04)
  • Communication and flexibility are key.

Thermostat Wars

• Question: What temperature do you set, do you change it while away, etc?
• Revealed Home Temps:
  • Mike: 66°F.
  • Jenna: 65–68°F (but 74°F in hotels!).
  • Dan: 67°F, wife would like 73°F.
• General consensus: comfort, not cost-saving, tends to win.

Career Uncertainty & Interviews

• Question: How to handle job interviews/career decisions after a bad interview experience and post-layoff?

• Advice:

  • Mike: “Don’t try to be perfect in an interview. Try to be yourself as much as possible. Try not to overthink it.” (68:17)
  • Jenna: “Think of it as shots on goal… Even if you don’t get the job, it’s a shot on goal.” (68:43)
  • Dan: “I may be an oversharer, but I’d just say, ‘I'm nervous’—don’t shy away from that.” (70:16)

• On career direction:

  • Figure out priorities (money, passion, flexibility) and aim for growth opportunities, not perfection.
  • “Every job has its downsides, even ones you love.” — Mike (74:25)
  • A respectful, supportive mentor early in your career is invaluable.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mike on the never-ending NFL season:
  “It’s not the offseason. It’s the non-playing season in the NFL.” (02:22)
• Jenna on Rams’ aggression:
  “They’re all about adding for now and figuring it out down the line.” (08:55)
• Dan spelling ‘serendipitous’… almost:
  Dan’s spelling bee: “Serendipitous. S, E, R E, N, D I, P, I, T, U, O, S… ah!” (15:30)
• On offensive line departures:
  “You take a massive strength… that is [Josh Allen’s] security blanket.” – Mike (23:57)
• Mike on Mike Evans:
  “He’s a dog. I think he is a Hall of Fame wide receiver.” (44:17)

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:36 – NFL News & McDuffie Trade
11:43 – Bills Offensive Line Future
31:44 – Wide Receivers: Palmer, Keon, Samuel
42:42 – Tight End Contracts
53:13 – Running Backs & QB
55:01 – Life Advice: Family Boundaries
63:32 – Life Advice: Thermostat Debates
66:53 – Life Advice: Career Uncertainty
74:14 – Closing banter

Overall Tone & Style

True to Buffalo Plus’ form, the discussion is fast-paced, playful, and heavy on honest analysis. The hosts rib each other, acknowledge their own biases, and keep things accessible for both diehard Bills fans and casual listeners. The episode offers a thorough breakdown of Buffalo’s offensive roster decisions with laughs and practical life advice for listeners.