Episode Summary: "You Ask, We Answer: Cook's contract, odd man out on the Bills & perception of Kincaid"

Podcast: Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills Podcast
Date: May 20, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes

Overview

This episode of Buffalo Plus dives into fan mailbag questions on some of the hottest Buffalo Bills topics heading into the 2025 season. The panel—Mike, Jenna, and Dan—discuss the fate of the defensive line with key suspensions, the likelihood of AJ Epenesa staying or being traded, the outlook for Curtis Samuel and Joshua Palmer, James Cook’s contract status and value, and dissect how one play shaped public perception of Dalton Kincaid. The group uses their combined insider experience and perspective to address roster decisions, positional value, and Bills culture, bringing both humor and candor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defensive Line Depth & AJ Epenesa’s Role

• Fan Q/A: How do the Bills keep their D-line with two players suspended? Is AJ Epenesa the odd man out? Should they trade him?
  • Impact of Suspensions: With two new D-linemen suspended for the first six weeks, roster flexibility is challenged. Epenesa benefits at cutdowns because “strictly because of numbers,” he’ll get meaningful snaps early in the season (03:31).
  • Trade Value: The group doubts the Bills proactively shop Epenesa unless “Solomon [Javon Solomon] steps up...the new kid Jackson is gonna play” (04:27).
  • Trust Factor: Coaches lean on “the devil you know,” highlighting Epenesa’s reliability. “Sometimes the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t.” – Mike (05:26)
  • After suspensions, a trade is possible if younger guys exceed expectations.

2. Curtis Samuel vs. Joshua Palmer: Who Steps Up?

• Fan Q/A: Will Curtis Samuel be more impactful, or will Joshua Palmer have more yards?
  • Dan is “doubling down on Curtis,” citing his late-season and playoff flashes (08:28).
  • Mike likes Palmer’s upside as a potential “difference maker” in an ‘X’ WR role, but notes Samuel’s “track record would tell you that it...it’s Samuel” (09:06, 09:57).
  • Jenna sees Palmer offering the higher yardage potential as a deep threat, but trusts the chemistry Samuel built with Allen late last year.
  • Room for Samuel may be limited by overlapping roles with Shakir and Kincaid.
  • Dan highlights Palmer's “100 targets...with the Chargers. He is a skill set they need and they want to see work” (11:13).

3. James Cook’s Contract & Future with the Bills

• Fan Q/A: Will Cook get a new deal before the season? Could his contract be a distraction?
  • Dan and Mike agree that Cook is unlikely to get a deal before the season, as the Bills seem set on their valuation of the RB position. “If it gets to that point, he’s gone at the end of the year.” – Dan (15:27)
  • “Wanting money isn’t a bad thing. That’s not the distraction.” – Mike (15:32)
  • The panel generally believes that Cook will play hard in his contract year but the Bills won’t deviate from their “number for the position” (17:20).
  • Cook is “making about $5 million this year” after his performance-based raise, but won’t see a RB1 payday from Buffalo.
  • Jenna argues Cook is “undeniably the best player” of the group recently let walk—more impactful than Edmunds, Poyer, or Singletary (21:07).
  • On the 2026 roster: All agree Cook won’t be on it—“I think he's going to play. I think he's going to be really good, and I think he's going to go somewhere else.” – Dan (24:22).

4. Dalton Kincaid’s Perception & the Power of One Play

• Fan Q/A: If Kincaid makes the catch vs. KC in the playoffs, how does perception change?
  • The group agrees: If Kincaid simply comes up with the clutch catch, it would “give him his signature moment,” changing fan/media tone—even “taking some of the stink off the season” – Mike (27:07).
  • “All those plays stick in our heads...that play would be immortalized.” – Dan (27:09)
  • However, Mike is clear that one play doesn’t erase “the whole body of work”; a game-changing catch hides some flaws but doesn't mask growth areas (26:16).
  • Panel debates the trustworthiness of Kincaid in clutch moments versus players like Khalil Shakir or Dawson Knox.

5. 2023 vs. 2024 (and Future) Bills: Who Wins?

• Fan Q/A: Hypothetical matchup—2023 Bills vs. 2024 Bills, who takes it?
  • Defense was better in 2023, but 2024 offense projected to be more cohesive under Joe Brady, and the team has shed distractions (33:43, 34:14).
  • Positive turnover margin in 2024 was critical.
  • Dan thinks the current roster is “a little better” than last year’s, mostly because of improved depth and off-season moves (36:31).
  • All agree replicating 2024’s offensive output is tough, but schedule is more favorable and less traveled.
  • “They maxed out their talent on offense” in 2024; can they do it again? (38:01)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On D-Line Trust

• “Sometimes the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t.”
  — Mike Catalana (05:26)

On Cook’s Situation

• “If it gets to that point, he’s gone at the end of the year.”
  — Dan Fates (15:27)
• “Wanting money isn’t a bad thing. That’s not the distraction.”
  — Mike Catalana (15:32)
• “Undeniably the best player of those group...the most impactful guy.”
  — Jenna Cottrell (21:07)

On Kincaid’s Play-Off Perception

• “That play would be immortalized.”
  — Dan Fates (27:09)
• “It would have definitely changed the narrative. It would have taken some of the stink off of the season. But I don’t think it would have masked all of the development or lack thereof and progression that we were hoping to see.”
  — Mike Catalana (27:07)

On Bills’ Offensive Evolution

• “That was their superpower...not turning the football over, playing smart and still scoring points.”
  — Dan Fates (34:51)
• “They maxed out their talent on offense. They were not good enough on defense. They have addressed a lot of defense. Hopefully that comes up.”
  — Dan Fates (38:03)

Noteworthy Timestamps

• 02:26 – D-line discussion, suspensions, Epenesa’s fit
• 07:56 – Curtis Samuel vs. Joshua Palmer question
• 14:01 – All about James Cook’s contract
• 25:38 – Kincaid's signature playoff catch hypothetical
• 33:23 – 2023 vs 2024 Bills team debate

Episode Tone and Chemistry

The episode features the group’s trademark blend of deep football insight, directness, and playful banter—ranging from confident player evaluations to tangents about inside-out shirts, baptisms, and the quirks of NFL fandom. Their chemistry provides both clarity and entertainment, appealing to diehard Bills fans and those seeking candid, experienced sports debate.

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