Bills have negative cap space and a number of key issues to address

When the Buffalo Bills signed outside linebacker Von Miller to a six-year, $120 million contract during free agency two years ago, it created a big impression.

It’s unlikely that Buffalo will sign a player of that caliber this offseason. The Bills are $12 million above the cap even after eliminating many players, according to OverTheCap. ESPN stated that Buffalo is among the teams they anticipate having a quiet offseason due to those cap restrictions.

“Similar to last year, the Bills have negative cap space and a number of key issues to address with their current players, which is why they cut a number of key players over the past week,” according to ESPN. “To start, the young, athletic wide receiver Gabe Davis, a free agent, played 83% of the snaps. Buffalo must also cope with the re-signing or replacement of veteran safety Micah Hyde, a productive free agent, as well as two defensive linemen, Leonard Floyd and DaQuan Jones.”

The following players were cut by the Bills: running back Nyheim Hines, receiver Deonte Harty, cornerback Siran Neal, center Mitch Morse, and safety Jordan Poyer. The Bills still need to make some moves to stay under the cap even with those players gone.

The Bills’ unrestricted free agents are safety Micah Hyde, outside linebackers Leonard Floyd and A.J. Epenesa, and receiver Gabe Davis. Re-signing any of their pending free agents will be difficult unless they can free up even more cap room by renegotiating Josh Allen’s and Stefon Diggs’ contracts.

If the Bills want to improve next season, they still need to fill a few gaps, and it doesn’t appear likely that they will do it through free agency until they make a few more moves before the tampering period starts on Monday at noon. This offseason, Buffalo’s biggest impact will probably depend on the draft and how well it hits on a number of guys who can come in and start right away.