Buffalo Plus Podcast: "Will Bills Make a Big Splash in Free Agency?"

Release Date: March 10, 2022
Panel: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Episode Overview

This episode explores whether the Buffalo Bills will make a significant move in the upcoming NFL free agency period. The team tackles circulating reports of a potential big "splash" acquisition, discusses Brandon Beane's free agency strategy, debates possible trade targets and contract extensions (including for Tremaine Edmunds, Dawson Knox, and Stefon Diggs), and breaks down key defensive players’ futures. The conversation is packed with candid insights, debates, and a few laughs, all in the context of a rapidly evolving AFC landscape.

Main Themes and Discussion Points

1. Big Splash in Free Agency: Reality or Smokescreen?

• Reports vs. Reality
  • Reports (from ESPN's Dan Graziano) suggest ownership wants a big splash ([00:25]).
  • Contradicts GM Brandon Beane’s comments about being cautious and “not big spenders.”
    • “I’ve never been a guy that has credit card debt. That’s not how I operate.” - Beane quoted by Dan Fetes ([01:49]).
• Motivations and PR Spin
  • Possible “PR move” to energize the fanbase even if a blockbuster doesn’t materialize ([04:29]));
    • “A lot of times...you have to take one second and realize, like, where’s this report coming from?...Good PR move by the Bills or by the Pegulas.” - Dan ([04:29])
• Cap Realities
  • The panel notes the Bills’ stadium funding and investments don’t necessarily translate to immediate free-agent splurges ([00:48]).
  • Creative moves (e.g., the Stefon Diggs trade) can make a statement without large immediate financial risk ([02:45]).

2. All-In Rams Blueprint: Should Buffalo Copy?

• Pressure from Around the League
  • The Rams’ recent Super Bowl win via aggressive roster moves shifts perceptions of what’s needed to win.
    • “Maybe this is the next blueprint in the NFL. It's a copycat league...” - Jenna ([03:23]).
• AFC Arms Race
  • Growing competition in the AFC – e.g., Russell Wilson joining the Broncos – means Buffalo needs to keep up with top quarterback-led teams ([03:23], [04:29]).

3. Potential Trade Targets & Speculation

• DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett (Seattle)
  • Hypothetical: Acquiring Metcalf would diversify age/talent at WR but requires giving up assets ([06:03]).
  • “Start rolling out Gabe Davis, DK Metcalf, and Stefon Diggs. With Josh Allen, you make it work.” - Mike ([06:30]).
• Saquon Barkley (NY Giants)
  • Potential fit given Giants’ cap issues, but injury concerns and short contract limit appeal ([08:44]–[09:46]).
• Bobby Wagner for Tremaine Edmunds
  • Mike floats signing Wagner, trading Edmunds as a “cat” (catapult) move ([10:13]).
    • “How about you sign Bobby Wagner and trade Tremaine Edmunds?” - Mike ([10:13]).

4. Cole Beasley: Trade or Release?

• Beasley’s Status
  • Beasley is seeking a trade; release seen as likely if no suitors appear ([12:02]–[12:36]).
    • “It’s my belief that he’s not on the roster as of next week.” - Mike ([12:36]).
• How These Moves Play Out
  • Often: player seeks trade, no deal materializes, team releases player to test open market ([12:44]).

5. Key Contract Extension Decisions

• Tremaine Edmunds
  • Free agent in 2023; market value $13.8M/year.
  • Mike: “I wouldn’t do it... this draft is loaded with linebackers.”
  • Consensus: team might be ready to move on, especially after paying Matt Milano. No high-impact plays cited from Edmunds ([13:58]–[23:49]).
    • “He’s plateaued as a player.” - Mike ([17:18])
    • “If he was a free agent now... they’d be signing a veteran, drafting another one, and letting him walk.” - Mike ([24:04])
• Dawson Knox
  • Coming off breakout year; market value ~$8.3M/year.
  • Caution about a premature extension; panel prefers to see continued production ([24:37]).
    • “He had one good year, but I think they like him a lot and I think he’s trending in the right direction.” - Mike ([25:31])
• Stefon Diggs
  • Not a free agent until 2024; salary set to jump.
  • Restructuring is expected and a priority for cap flexibility ([26:37]–[28:20]).
    • “You’re going to see a reworked deal for Diggs because he’s still in his prime. He’s Josh’s number one target.” - Mike ([28:25])

6. Defensive Free Agents: Who Stays, Who Goes?

• Jerry Hughes
  • 34 years old; key locker room presence, but must return on a team-friendly deal.
    • “He might be a guy that sits there... and then eventually comes back.” - Mike ([33:28])
    • “They've got to get younger and more impactful if they can.” - Mike ([33:53])
• Mario Addison
  • 35 years old; not expected to return at high price ([38:01]–[38:23]).
• Levi Wallace
  • Highly valued: started on discount contracts, could command ~$9.6M AAV in free agency.
    • “He’s got the most buzz around the league.” - Mike ([50:39])
    • “If I’m the Bills, I’m paying him.” - Dan ([48:47])
• Harrison Phillips
  • Team wants him back after an effective year ([41:52]).
    • “I’m bringing him back...I think he was effective.” - Mike ([42:01])
• Justin Zimmer, Vernon Butler, FA Obada
  • Zimmer: Culture fit, but injury and age are concerns ([42:43]).
  • Butler: Consensus to move on ([44:50]).
  • Obada: Useful depth at the right price ([45:03]).
• Miscellaneous Stats on Pass Rush
  • The Bills’ DE situation is thin: last player with double-digit sacks was Lorenzo Alexander in 2016 ([38:35]–[39:32]).
    • Fun moment: “Can you imagine Jenna as the GM? She’d be going, ‘Oh honey, oh honey, we’ll make it work.’” - Mike ([40:08]).

7. Overall Team-Building Philosophy

• Beane's approach: Continually plan a year ahead, draft for future needs, don’t mortgage the future for short-term gains ([20:05]).
• Window for a championship is open, but maintaining the core, drafting, and targeted spending remain key.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Brandon Beane (via Dan): “I’ve never been a guy that has credit card debt. That’s not how I operate.” ([01:49])
• On Metcalf Hypothetical: “Start rolling out Gabe Davis, DK Metcalf, and Stefon Diggs... You will make it work.” - Mike ([06:30])
• On Tremaine Edmunds: “He’s plateaued as a player... it’s not like he is a bad football player...” - Mike ([17:18])
• On Jerry Hughes: “It’s show business, not show friends. Jerry Maguire, come on.” - Mike ([36:23])
• On Defensive End Age: “As long as your other DE isn’t 34... it’s 68 years old between two DEs!” - Mike ([37:16])
• Fun Exchange:
  • Jenna: “It’s like when you have a friend who’s just kind of around... at a dinner party...” ([22:47])
  • Mike: “And you’re the mean girl that says don’t invite them, aren’t you?” ([23:09])
• Sack Leader Realities:
  • “Who was the last Bill to have double-digit sacks and in what year?” – Dan ([38:35])
  • Answer: Lorenzo Alexander (2016).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:25 – Free agency “splash” rumors dissected
• 01:49 – Brandon Beane’s cap strategy (via Dan)
• 03:23 – Rams “all-in” Super Bowl model and AFC arms race
• 06:03 – Speculative trade targets: DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett
• 08:44 – Saquon Barkley: worth the risk?
• 10:13 – "Catapult" idea: Wagner for Edmunds
• 12:02 – Cole Beasley likely departure
• 13:58 – Should Tremaine Edmunds get extended? (full contract analysis)
• 24:37 – Dawson Knox: extension after one good year?
• 26:37 – Stefon Diggs contract, impact of new WR deals
• 29:27 – Defensive “Stay or Go” lightning round begins
• 31:22 – Jerry Hughes’s legacy and realistic return path
• 38:35 – Defensive end pass rush woes and sack leaders
• 41:52 – Harrison Phillips: keep him or lose him?
• 44:50 – Vernon Butler: consensus move on
• 45:46 – Levi Wallace’s free agency leverage
• 49:32 – Which contracts matter most for the Bills’ future?

Conclusion

The Buffalo Plus team concludes that, while the Bills are in the thick of an AFC arms race and facing expectations to make a “splash,” the organization is more likely to pursue calculated, creative moves — not cap-busting signings. Key roster decisions loom with prominent defensive free agents, and the panel expects Brandon Beane to continue to play the long game: keeping core pieces, drafting for the future, and only restructuring or extending deals at the right price. Still, with so many defensive starters potentially departing and a louder-than-ever AFC, the pressure and speculation will only increase as free agency opens.

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