
Will Bills’ Super Bowl Approach Finally Get ‘Rewarded’ In 2025?
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Super Bowl 2025: How the Eagles dominated the Chiefs, Mahomes
The Eagles beat the Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. Philadelphia’s front seven was the key to why Kansas City was ground into dust. This was the worst possible time for Patrick Mahomes to have what will likely go down as his worst big game as a pro. The Chiefs did the best job any team has done all season against Saquon Barkley, who ran 25 times for 57 yards. The Eagles went 3-for-12 on third downs, failed to convert their only fourth down, turned the ball over in the red zone and averaged 5.1 yards per play — fewer than the Chiefs. They sacked Mahomes six times with a four-man rush, something that has never happened in a single game in a Hall of Famer’s career. They ran a similar pressure rate on the defensive line, but it failed to take him down for a sack for just 35 yards, but a lack of negative plays helped keep the Chiefs afloat on a shootout in a shootout.
The 40-22 final score in Super Bowl LIX seems unfair both to a Philadelphia defense that shut down Kansas City until a couple of garbage-time touchdowns in the fourth quarter and to a Kansas City defense that battled gamely before finally getting overwhelmed by short fields and the sheer volume of snaps it had to play.
Imagine being a Chiefs fan and getting to see pieces of the box score of this game in advance. The Chiefs did the best job any team has done all season against Saquon Barkley, who ran 25 times for 57 yards. The Eagles went 3-for-12 on third downs, failed to convert their only fourth down, turned the ball over in the red zone and averaged 5.1 yards per play — fewer than the Chiefs. All of that sounds like the sort of game the Chiefs would expect to win given what they’re capable of doing on offense.
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All of that is true and the Chiefs still fell behind 34-0 during the third quarter, precisely because of what they couldn’t do on offense. This was the worst possible time for Patrick Mahomes to have what will likely go down as his worst big game as a pro. Before saving his numbers with those late fourth-quarter scores, he looked as flummoxed as we’ve ever seen him.
If you had told that same Chiefs fan that Mahomes was about to go 6-of-14 for 33 yards with two interceptions in the first half of the Super Bowl, that fan could have done more productive things with a free Sunday. Those 33 yards were the fewest Mahomes has ever posted in the first half of any NFL game. His 10.9 passer rating was the third worst from any quarterback in the first half of a game this season. By expected points added (EPA) per dropback, his minus-1.36 mark was the 10th worst by any quarterback in the first half of any game since the start of the 2018 season.
Even with his late scoring drives, Mahomes finished with a Total QBR of 11.4, his second-worst performance in 133 career starts. Let’s assign credit appropriately: The Eagles did that. More specifically, the same Philadelphia defensive line that was tormented and torched so badly by Mahomes in Super Bowl LVII two years ago took over this game. While defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and his secondary will rightfully earn credit for a dominant performance, the front seven is the key to understanding why Mahomes & Co. were ground into dust.
Jump to a section:
Four ways in which Philly’s D dominated
Five ways in which KC got it terribly wrong
How Hurts and the Eagles got here
How the Eagles took down Patrick Mahomes
They exploited and overpowered Kansas City’s tackles. Go back to the last time Fangio coached against an Andy Reid-led offense. It was the wild-card round last season, with Fangio serving as defensive coordinator for the Dolphins. Without his top two edge rushers due to injury — Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips — the normally conservative Fangio turned on the heat. The veteran coordinator blitzed Mahomes on more than 51% of the quarterback’s dropbacks, his third-highest blitz rate in more than 220 games as a coordinator since 2007. Nobody wants to blitz Mahomes, who has lit up blitzes since entering the league, but Fangio surely felt like the alternative was sitting back and withering away on defense.
On Sunday, the Eagles didn’t blitz once on Mahomes’ 42 dropbacks. (They had a couple of plays that would technically qualify as blitzes when the Eagles sent Zack Baun, but they dropped a lineman off into coverage as part of the snap.) Fangio rushed four players 39 times and three players three times. The Eagles still managed to pressure Mahomes on nearly 45% of his dropbacks through three quarters before Fangio gave his backups some run in the fourth. They sacked Mahomes six times with a four-man rush, something that has never happened to the future Hall of Famer in his career. He had never been sacked more than four times by a three- or four-man rush in a single game.
When these two teams played in the title game two years ago, the Eagles managed to get pressure on Mahomes, but he wriggled and maneuvered his way out of danger. A dominant Philadelphia defensive line pressured him on 37% of his dropbacks then, but it failed to take him down for a sack on 11 pressures. Those 11 snaps produced just 35 yards, but a lack of negative plays helped keep the Chiefs afloat on offense in a shootout. This time, the Eagles finished the job. They ran a similar pressure rate to that Super Bowl (38%), but they turned six of those 15 pressures into sacks.
Those sacks didn’t come from the player most would have expected. Jalen Carter had a solid game, but he didn’t singlehandedly wreck opponents the way he had for much of the season. After much discussion about whether the Eagles would move him away from star guard Trey Smith, they decided to keep him there for the majority of his snaps, and the Chiefs double-teamed Carter on only a handful of snaps. Carter forced a holding penalty and had a couple of impressive plays, but he wasn’t the most dominant player on the Philly line.
Instead, in their final game before free agency, this was the Josh Sweat and Milton Williams show. The two Eagles draftees combined for 4.5 sacks. Down the rotation, Jalyx Hunt and Moro Ojomo showed up with splash plays and quality snaps. Brandon Graham, a surprise activation during the week after recovering from what was expected to be a season-ending torn triceps, played 18 snaps and nearly bowled over right tackle Jawaan Taylor to draw a holding penalty.
Taylor had a rough game, but it didn’t compare to what happened at left tackle. There’s no way to sugarcoat it: Joe Thuney looked like a fish out of water on the edge in pass protection. It’s one thing for a converted guard playing tackle out of desperation and a lack of better options to get beat by speed around the edge. It’s another for Thuney to get driven backward into Mahomes’ lap by Hunt, a 251-pound former college safety.
Charting the game through Williams’ violent strip-sack of Mahomes in the fourth quarter, I have Thuney down for seven plays that led to pressures of Mahomes, including three that led to sacks. He was beaten straight up by Hunt and Sweat and on twists by Williams. He might have been a victim of unrealistic expectations after holding up for most of the postseason on Mahomes’ blind side, but reality came crashing down Sunday.
Thuney wasn’t the only one. Taylor was responsible for six pressures, including that play in which he was knocked a yard backward by Graham before being flagged for a desperate hold. Mike Caliendo, filling in at left guard for Thuney, struggled with twists and was steamrolled by Williams for the fourth-quarter strip-sack of Mahomes that took the last of the air out of Kansas City’s sails.
The Chiefs never had answers for dealing with the pass rush besides hoping the offensive line played better. They spent most of the game blocking with five linemen before mixing in chips from tight ends and running backs, which didn’t necessarily help; a Travis Kelce chip prevented the future Hall of Fame tight end from getting into his route quickly on a play that ended with a Mahomes sack, while a chip from Isiah Pacheco disengaged Sweat from Taylor and allowed him to take down a scrambling Mahomes. They tried moving the launch point for Mahomes by using built-in scrambles, but one of those plays led to the pick-six by Cooper DeJean.
They took away Mahomes’ escape hatch. In Super Bowl LVII and just about every other big game since, Mahomes has managed to make a difference with his legs. While that has included the occasional designed run, the thing that scares opposing defensive coordinators is what he does as a scrambler. It’s tough to spy him when a defense is usually committing so many coverage resources to Kelce, and if the coordinator uses twists and games up front to try to create pressure, any sort of misstep or over-aggression from the line opens up a lane for him to exploit. The Eagles know it all too well, given that Mahomes scrambled for 26 yards to set up the game-winning field goal two years ago.
This time, the big scramble never came. In addition to winning one-on-one, Philadelphia’s edge rushers did a great job of walling off the edges and forcing Mahomes to try to escape pressure by stepping up into the pocket as opposed to escaping through the sides and extending plays. And once he stepped up, the Eagles’ defensive linemen were simply too big and too fast to run past. There were too many moments in which Mahomes attempted to scramble, changed his mind then did a full turn to try to gain some acceleration and get away, only to be sacked or forced into a wild throw.
Mahomes didn’t scramble for a first down all game, the first time that has happened in a playoff game since the loss to the Patriots in the 2018 AFC Championship Game. He didn’t have a single scramble attempt until midway through the third quarter and didn’t run for more than 8 yards on any of his attempts. Hunt made a nice play with an ankle tackle to stop what could have been a bigger scramble. Taking away those conversions made Mahomes one-dimensional.
They won over and over again on third down against the league’s best third-down offense. While the Chiefs struggled on first and second down consistently throughout the season, Mahomes usually bailed them out by converting on third downs. The Chiefs picked up 50% of their third downs during the regular season with Mahomes on the field, the best rate of any offense, and were at 45% during the postseason before this game.
On Sunday, they failed to convert on their first nine attempts on third down through three quarters, before finally picking up a third-and-7 with 1:25 to go trailing 34-0. It’s just the fourth time in the Mahomes era the Chiefs have gone an entire first half without converting a third down. (One of the other three was Super Bowl LVII against the Eagles, but that was on only three attempts.) Reid’s offense finished 3-of-12 on third and fourth downs.
Through those first nine third-down attempts before the initial conversion on a throw to Kelce, the Eagles won with pressure on six. The three that didn’t include pressure were a quick snap in which Mahomes threw low to Kelce, a designed rollout on the pick-six to DeJean and a quick third-and-13 throw to Kelce for 9 yards to set up a manageable fourth down. Six of those nine plays came with 9 or more yards to go, and as good as Mahomes is, the Chiefs didn’t want to live in third-and-long against this defense.
Bills offseason tracker: Where will Buffalo’s cap space be spent in a pivotal offseason?
Follow every signing and trade with The Athletic’s live coverage of 2025 NFL free agency. The Bills were as close as they’ve ever been to a Super Bowl berth with the trio of quarterback Josh Allen, head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane leading the way. The 2025 offseason is also quite a bit different than the one the Bills had in 2024. They’ll have some easily accessible cap space to work with, and don’t have nearly as many starting positions to fill as last year. Every move they make can get them that much closer to finally getting to the top of the AFC, and potentially even the entire NFL. The offseason tracker will be updated with every Bills re-signing, restructured contract, release, external signing and Trade — along with analysis, reactions and more to each. Above all else, this all has added cements Milano returning to the team in 2025 as the starting outside linebacker. The best-case scenario for wide receiver Laviska Shenault is to compete for the final 53-man spot on the roster.
After plenty of buildup to the new league year, NFL free agency is officially underway for the 2025 offseason. The Bills were as close as they’ve ever been to a Super Bowl berth with the trio of quarterback Josh Allen, head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane leading the way.
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The 2025 offseason is also quite a bit different than the one the Bills had in 2024. They’ll have some easily accessible cap space to work with, and don’t have nearly as many starting positions to fill as last year. However, every move they make can get them that much closer to finally getting to the top of the AFC, and potentially even the entire NFL.
This offseason tracker will be updated with every Bills re-signing, restructured contract, release, external signing and trade — along with analysis, reactions and more to each.
Bills additions
QB Josh Allen (re-signed): Six-year, $330 million deal ($250 million guaranteed)
OL Alec Anderson (re-signed): One-year deal
LB Terrel Bernard (re-signed): Four-year, $50 million deal
DE Joey Bosa (free agent): One-year, $12.6 million deal
RB Darrynton Evans (free agent): N/A
LS Reid Ferguson (re-signed): Four-year deal
S Darrick Forrest (free agent): One-year deal
FB Reggie Gilliam (re-signed): One-year, $2 million deal
G Kendrick Green (free agent): One-year deal
S Damar Hamlin (re-signed): One-year, $2 million deal
DL Michael Hoecht (free agent): Three-year deal, up to $24 million
CB Dane Jackson (free agent): One-year deal
RB Ty Johnson (re-signed): Two-year deal
DT Larry Ogunjobi (free agent): One-year, $8.3 million deal ($8 million guaranteed)
WR Joshua Palmer (free agent): Three-year, $36 million deal
DE Greg Rousseau (re-signed): Four-year, $80 million deal
WR Khalil Shakir (re-signed): Four-year, $53-million deal
WR Laviska Shenault (free agent): One-year deal
Still available (from The Athletic‘s top 150 list)
WR Amari Cooper
CB Rasul Douglas
Edge Von Miller
March 18
Matt Milano’s contract adjustment helps Bills gain cap space, future flexibility
The Bills pulled a familiar move on Tuesday, agreeing to an adjusted contract with longtime starting linebacker Matt Milano, who turns 31 this summer. With his new contract adjustment, Milano took a pay cut while removing the final year of his contract in 2026, according to OverTheCap.com. Milano has the opportunity to earn back all his originally owed money before the pay cut through hitting incentives. The deal opened up a little over $3.63 million on the 2025 salary cap, which brings his new cap figure down to $12.16 million.
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This is one of those moves that doesn’t have any hidden angles. It provides the Bills cap flexibility along with compelling the player to hit his markers in the upcoming season. The Bills wanted to keep Milano, but also likely wanted to get him closer to fair market value given his age and injury history. However, Milano needed the incentive to do just that. By agreeing to a pay cut with the ability to earn it all back, that’s one incentive. And now as a free agent in 2026, Milano has the definitive incentive of playing for a new contract. It seemed unlikely the Bills would have brought him back on his current deal in 2026, so now that just gets that unknown out of the way. The contract adjustment does not impact the 2026 salary cap negatively at all. In fact, by getting Milano’s 2026 money off their books, it created $5 million in cap space in 2026. Above all else, this cements Milano returning to the team in 2025, and now he has added financial motivation as the team’s starting outside linebacker.
March 13
WR Laviska Shenault agrees to 1-year deal: team source The Bills continued to add to their wide receiver room with Shenault, a second-round pick in 2020. Shenault has bounced around the league, with the Bills being his fifth team in six seasons. The best-case scenario for Shenault is for him to compete for the final wide receiver spot on the 53-man roster, or to win the returner battle. The Bills have four players that are already roster locks in Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer and Curtis Samuel. Shenault would be competing with players like Tyrell Shavers, Jalen Virgil and K.J. Hamler for the final spot if the Bills declined to add anyone else. However, the Bills seem likely to add at least one more notable piece to the receiver room, with the most likely route being through the 2025 NFL Draft. Shenault ultimately might be a practice squad player in 2025 or not with the team during the regular season. G Kendrick Green agrees to terms on 1-year deal As free agency begins to wind down, most years, the Bills will add a roster bubble type of offensive lineman who has starting experience in the NFL. This year, it’s Green, who was a third-round pick in 2021 and has plenty of snaps under his belt over his four-year career. In 2021, he played exclusively at center for the Steelers before being a healthy scratch for the entire 2022 season. The Steelers then traded Greene to the Texans in 2023. He started three games at guard before suffering a torn meniscus that ended his season. Green spent almost the entire 2024 season on the bench for the Texans. Lifetime, Green has 1,357 snaps played on offense, according to Pro Football Focus, though nearly 72 percent of those snaps occurred in his rookie season. Green hasn’t played at center since his rookie year. Green will likely fight for one of the last roster spots at training camp, and as long as he shows well enough, he could take over the Will Clapp role from last year as their top practice squad offensive lineman. The Bills always hope for one of these reclamation offensive line pickups on a one-year prove-it deal to work out the way that current starting left guard David Edwards did a couple of years ago, though with a pretty established offensive line room all returning in 2025, it could prove difficult for Green to make the team this summer. CB Dane Jackson agrees to 1-year deal, per team source The Bills have always loved a good nostalgia play with players they’ve trusted in the past, and with a hollowed-out cornerback room, they brought Jackson back on a one-year deal. Jackson spent his first four NFL seasons with the Bills before signing with the Panthers last offseason. A hamstring injury spoiled the start of his 2024 year with his new team, and he failed to become a full-time starter upon his return, which helped lead to his release this offseason. Christian Benford is at boundary corner, but Rasul Douglas is still a free agent, they traded Kaiir Elam, and only special teams player Ja’Marcus Ingram remains with Benford from the 2024 roster. As things stand today, Jackson would be the frontrunner to be their starting cornerback. However, the emphasis on “as things stand today” is important because it would be quite surprising if the Bills were done adding to the position. Whether it’s through free agency, the draft, or both, anything remains on the table for them with cornerback. Jackson should be viewed as dependable depth that they know can start if they need him to while also providing value on special teams. But they’ve also seen him up close and chose to let him walk, meaning they know they can improve the starting position ahead of Jackson. The move gives the Bills a baseline starter for 2025, likely with something else in their plans as the offseason continues.
March 12
Bills trade CB Kaiir Elam to Cowboys
Trade details, according to a team source: Bills receive 2025 5th round (No. 170) and 2026 7th round picks
Cowboys receive CB Kaiir Elam and 2025 6th round pick (No. 204)After failing to come through atop a summer starting competition in consecutive seasons to begin his career, and then being a healthy scratch more often than not in his third season, the writing was as clear as day on Elam’s future in Buffalo. The 2022 first-round pick, a player the Bills traded up to select, just never looked comfortable in the team’s zone-based defensive scheme. He was outplayed early in his career by 2022 fifth-round pick Christian Benford, and Benford has since charged forward as the team’s clear top cornerback and is knocking on the door as one of the best at his position in the NFL. The Bills did go to Elam in the starting lineup when there was an injury to one of Benford or starter Rasul Douglas, but he mostly turned into a target for opposing offenses. When Benford suffered a concussion early against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, Elam had a day to forget as the Bills switched to primarily man coverage, which on paper suits Elam’s skill set a bit better.
For Elam, he gets a change of scenery and a new defensive scheme, which he sorely needed. Even though Douglas is a free agent, the Bills were unlikely to have Elam be a starter in 2025. For the Bills, they leveled up on a draft choice and now have three picks in the fifth round this year, which will likely aid them in their trade-up opportunities, along with a future seventh-round pick. They also cleared a little over $2.5 million on the 2025 salary cap to do so, which was as big of a win as the draft compensation acquired.
S Darrick Forrest agrees to terms on 1-year deal, according to a league source
The Bills quickly filled out their safety room on Wednesday, first with the re-signing of Hamlin and then by adding another player with starting experience in Forrest to round out the group. The starting safety duo for the Bills is likely to be Taylor Rapp at strong safety, along with 2024 second-round pick Cole Bishop at free safety, though the Bills may want to make Bishop earn the starting job in camp. That’s where Forrest and Hamlin come into the picture. After falling out of the Commanders’ rotation last year, the one-year deal is a way for Forrest to reset his market in 2026 if he makes some starts. At the very least, as long as Forrest sticks on the 53-man roster, he should have special teams value on game days. He turns 26 in May.
S Damar Hamlin agrees to terms on 1-year deal
This time last year, Hamlin was on the roster bubble heading into the final year of his rookie contract. The 2023 season was all about Hamlin returning to the playing field after his life-threatening event the prior season, and he was a non-factor on the field all of 2023. But in 2024, he showed up with a renewed determination, which the coaching staff quickly saw during offseason workouts. Hamlin then had some good fortune during an open starting competition at training camp. The two players he was up against were favorites for the job. However, 2024 second-round pick Cole Bishop and veteran Mike Edwards each suffered a multi-week injury early into camp, which put both players well behind in the competition. All that missed practice time, along with Hamlin’s three-year knowledge of the scheme pushed him into the starting role to begin the year. Even through some struggles, Hamlin held onto the job all season.
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However, Hamlin’s return in 2025 could be under different terms, especially with Bishop impressing the franchise over the last few months of his first season. The team has high hopes for Bishop, likely viewing him as a starter alongside Taylor Rapp in 2025. Hamlin returns, possibly as their top reserve at safety to help the depth at the position. Hamlin was likely hoping for a starting safety job through free agency, but the market wasn’t there. General manager Brandon Beane has always kept the door open on outgoing free agents should their market not be where they hoped it would be. In the meantime, Hamlin can serve as depth and special teams help in a scheme he knows well, with another crack at free agency in 2026. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they used Hamlin to make Bishop ‘earn’ the starting job in training camp.
Bills agree to terms with DT Larry Ogunjobi on 1-year deal The Bills have made another bigger-name addition to their defensive line, and according to NFL Network, the deal is for $8.3 million with $8 million guaranteed. Ogunjobi, who turns 31 this summer, was recently released by the Steelers. He heads to the Bills as a versatile defensive tackle, and they hope that he can help significantly improve the depth behind starters Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones and beef up their pass rush. Ogunjobi is likely rooted as a three-technique within the Bills’ defensive scheme, though he can push over to one-technique a lot more capably than any of the previous backup three-techniques from the 2024 roster. For that reason, it makes him a valuable third defensive tackle in their eyes. He can play next to Jones on early downs, and can also play next to Oliver on run downs when they need him to. The big draw might be having him available on third downs in obvious passing situations. Ogunjobi had his lowest pressure rate in 2024 (5.1 percent) of his last six seasons. Though in 2023, Ogunjobi’s pressure rate was 7.9 percent, far closer to his six-year mark of 7.7 percent. The Bills are hoping that Ogunjobi has at least one good year of pass-rushing production in him while they have the cap flexibility to roster him in 2025. The Steelers also align in an odd-man front, so getting back to his more natural position at three-technique in the even-man front employed in Buffalo could be a catalyst to better production. The last time he was in an even-man front, Ogunjobi set his career high in sacks (7) with a 8.7 percent pressure rate with the Bengals. Granted, that was back in 2021 when Ogunjobi was in his age-27 season. So, there is a bit of a leap of hope involved in Ogunjobi, just as there is with the oft-injured Bosa. The lack of depth at defensive tackle was evident last season, with the team relying on a rotation of then-rookie DeWayne Carter, Jordan Phillips and Quinton Jefferson. Carter remains on the team, and this signing likely isn’t good news for his potential playing time in 2025. Ogunjobi wasn’t a stout run defender last year, so he doesn’t enrich the defensive line in that way. But the important thing to remember is that this move doesn’t keep the Bills from drafting a one-technique defensive tackle, potentially with one of their first three selections over the first two rounds. That player would serve as the primary backup to Jones in 2025 while potentially taking over the starting job in 2026 — or perhaps even earlier, should they play well enough. The Bills likely aren’t done at the position. March 11
Bills land DE Joey Bosa on 1-year, $12.6M deal: Sources
The Buffalo Bills and edge rusher Joey Bosa agreed to terms on a one-year, $12.6 million deal, league sources told The Athletic on Tuesday, edging out the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins for his services. Joey Bosa steps in for Von Miller, whom the Bills released on Sunday. Bosa, who turns 30 in July, was the No. 8 edge rusher and No. 34 overall on The Athletic’s NFL free agency top 150.
Bosa enters the equation for the Bills as the bigger splash at edge rusher they so desperately needed this offseason. As the Bills’ 2024 season unfolded, it became painfully obvious that the team needed more from their pass rush. A.J. Epenesa wasn’t cutting it as a starter, and they could only rely on Miller for 15 to 30 snaps per game, limiting his overall impact on the game. Bosa instantly becomes a starting piece for the franchise in 2025 and one they hope can put their pass-rushing group over the top.
Bosa has had a great career with the Chargers since entering the league in 2016, with a reputation as one of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL at one time. All the injuries have taken their toll on him, which led to not only his release but the Bills being able to get him at a manageable price point, given his past production. If they can get a full season out of Bosa without injuries, the one-year investment will be worth the modest price tag for his position.
Bills bring back FB Reggie Gilliam on a 1-year deal
One of the mainstays of the Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane Bills, Gilliam returns for his sixth season in Buffalo after making the team as an undrafted rookie in 2020. Gilliam saw his offensive involvement increase as the season went on in 2024. On top of that, he was one of their best special teams players and was on the field for nearly every punt, punt return, kickoff or kickoff return last season. He’ll be depended on greatly by new special teams coordinator Chris Tabor. Gilliam’s multi-functional role, his fit in the locker room as a trusted voice and his relatively low cost made this re-signing an easy one for the Bills. NFL Network reported the one-year deal is worth $2 million.
Bills awarded two compensatory picks in the 2025 NFL Draft
After losing a bevy of players last offseason, the compensatory formula was kind to the Bills in 2025. Due to the losses of wide receiver Gabriel Davis and pass rusher Leonard Floyd, the Bills gained two more selections in this year’s draft — a pair of late fifth-round picks. Getting those two selections, along with having the top pick in the sixth round, gives the Bills three picks in a nine-pick span on Day 3.
They now have 10 selections total:
No. 30 (Round 1)
No. 56 (Round 2)
No. 62 (Round 2)
No. 109 (Round 4)
No. 132 (Round 4)
No. 169 (Round 5)
No. 173 (Round 5)
No. 177 (Round 6)
No. 204 (Round 6)
No. 206 (Round 6)
By the time the Bills are through with free agency, they are unlikely to have 10 roster spots open for all of their draft picks in 2025. It would not be a surprise if general manager Brandon Beane either attempted to consolidate some of those picks to move up on draft day for a more impactful player at a position of need or to package some picks for a proven veteran that can help them in 2025. Either way, with that many picks, it seems like something has to give.
RB Ty Johnson agrees to terms on a 2-year deal
Analysis: With the running back market drying up in free agency, the Bills were able to get their trusted third runner from the 2024 season back in the fold. Johnson, who was essentially the 1B to James Cook’s 1A in a committee-type approach, is back with the team on a two-year deal. The Bills’ faith in Johnson grew throughout his time in Buffalo, to the point where they made him their clear third-down back in passing and two-minute drill situations. His explosiveness skills were clear and evident, and he even gave them some great runs against light boxes. Johnson’s new contract with the Bills takes him through his age-29 season in 2026.
Johnson’s return may not be great news for Cook, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract and has insinuated this offseason that he’d like to hit $15 million per season. Last season, the Bills gave Cook 47.5 percent of snaps in the games he was active for, with Johnson hitting 30.9 percent on the year. Now with Johnson on the team in 2025, and both Ray Davis and Johnson signed with the team in 2026 as well, the Bills officially have an insurance plan should Cook leave in free agency next offseason. Johnson’s arrival also may keep them from drafting a running back at some point this April, despite the strength of that position in this year’s class.
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NFL Network reports the deal is worth a total of $5 million.
RB Darrynton Evans agrees to a new deal with the Bills, according to his agency
Analysis: Evans returns to the Bills for his third stint with the franchise. His first time in Buffalo began as an early training camp add in 2023, and ended in his release heading into final cuts. Evans returned to the Bills in 2024 on a reserve/futures deal last offseason, was placed on Injured Reserve ahead of final cuts, and was released by the team in October. He’s mostly been a practice squad type for the last few seasons, and that could be his best chance to stick in Buffalo in 2025. With Ty Johnson still a free agent, the Bills have an opening for a third running back on the 53-man roster. Evans’ chances will improve should the Bills neglect the position the rest of the offseason. However, with some free agent values out there and a strong rookie class of running backs, it remains likely the Bills add at least one more to the position.
Greg Rousseau’s contract details and how to interpret them
Analysis: The details of Rousseau’s new four-year contract extension are in from a league source, and there weren’t any inflated numbers on the originally reported value of the deal. Rousseau is under contract through the 2029 season. He was originally scheduled to make $13.387 million in 2024 before the extension, so he’ll get that money plus an additional $80 million, bringing his five-year total to $93.387 million — $49 million of it guaranteed straight away. Rousseau received a $17.5 million signing bonus, he’ll get a $14 million option bonus due in the 2026 offseason and the Bills added a void year in 2030 for salary cap purposes. Rousseau can earn up to $1 million extra per year from 2026 through 2029 by hitting a sack incentive.
Rousseau’s cap hits with his new deal
2025: $5.88 million
2026: $11.81 million
2027: $23.3 million
2028: $24.3 million
2029: $25.3 million
2030 (void): $2.8 million
Rousseau’s contract has a few different elements. The first is the immediate cap savings they receive to help with their offseason business. The Bills saved $7.51 million on the cap with the new contract for Rousseau. The team also stuck with their usual operating procedure on long-term deals by having a manageable cap hit in the second season before the cap hits go way up in year three.
As for a commitment level, due to the guarantees on his deal that include over $10 million of his base salary in 2027, Rousseau’s new contract is effectively a guaranteed three-year pact for the Bills through the 2027 season. After that season, the Bills can decide each offseason if they’d like to continue with the agreement. Over those three seasons, Rousseau will be paid $56.39 million total for a yearly average of $18.8 million. The deal has a ton of backloaded money in 2028 and 2029 that Rousseau may never see. There is no guaranteed money over those final two years. If the Bills moved on in 2028 without touching Rousseau’s contract in the first three years, they would save $8.9 million on the 2028 salary cap.
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There is also some cap flexibility in 2027 for the Bills if Rousseau lives up to the deal. As currently constructed, he has a $23.3 million cap hit that season, but if they convert all but the veteran minimum of his base salary, they could create substantial savings. It would yield over $11 million in cap savings, but to do it, it would effectively lock in Rousseau for another year in 2028. The Bills would still be able to get out from the deal with good cap savings in 2029, even after a potential 2027 restructure. All in all, this deal follows the trend of getting a young player signed to a slightly below-market deal based on his age, position and potential.
March 10
WR Mack Hollins agrees to terms with Patriots, according to multiple reports
Analysis: After the Bills agreed to terms with Joshua Palmer on a three-year, $36 million deal, the next step was to see if they could get Hollins back under contract for 2025 in a reduced role. Given how much he played on offense for the Bills throughout the 2024 season, the team had to be hoping they could get the 31-year-old Hollins signed to another low-cost, one-year deal. However, with a reported two-year, $8.4 million deal given to him by the Patriots, that was likely too rich for what the Bills wanted to pay this offseason to effectively have him be their fourth or fifth wide receiver.
While they lose Hollins, it opens up a spot to add at least one more receiver, whether through free agency or the 2025 NFL Draft. As it stands, the Bills only have four receivers on their team who are safe bets to make the 53-man roster in Palmer, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and Curtis Samuel. The Bills usually carry at least five, and sometimes six at the position. If the Bills go through the rest of free agency without adding a substantial wide receiver, picking a boundary player as early as the first round would remain a distinct possibility.
Bills agree to terms with DL Michael Hoecht; 3-year deal worth up to $24 million
Analysis: With several rotational defensive linemen becoming free agents this offseason, the Bills struck for their second free agent deal to add to the depth of their edge rusher group. Hoecht arrives to the Bills from the Rams, where he was a trusted piece of their pass rush, taking 1542 snaps over the last two seasons, according to Pro Football Focus. Hoecht has generated nine total sacks in the previous two seasons, with a pressure rate of 11.2 percent. The Rams used him rushing from both the left and right side, and in more of a rotational role in 2024. Hoecht is likely to be a rotational player for the Bills based on his contract, but because they didn’t have much pass-rushing success from starter A.J. Epenesa last year (5.8 percent pressure rate), anything is on the table if the Bills don’t add any other pieces to the defensive end room.
Hoecht got his start with the Rams as an undrafted rookie, worked his way in as a rotational defensive tackle, and then became an outside linebacker/pass rusher as his NFL career continued. He has also been a core special teams player in Los Angeles. Due to his extremely versatile skill set, it also would not be a surprise if the Bills looked at him as a potential replacement for Dawuane Smoot’s role last season. On early downs, Smoot would work at defensive end, but on obvious pass-rushing downs, Smoot would slide inside to defensive tackle to give the Bills more of a pass-rushing push. Smoot failed to make the impact they were hoping for and is a free agent, but it’s a role they still would likely want to be filled, and Hoecht seems like an ideal candidate. As for the contract, the words “up to” usually mean the total amount agreed upon for salary cap purposes has a lower amount than the original report, so this is to be continued until the contract details emerge in the next week or so. Hoecht is 27 and turns 28 in October.
Bills, WR Joshua Palmer agree to 3-year, $36 million deal: reports
Analysis: After most of the boundary receivers struggled down the stretch of the season, the Bills had a significant need for a player at that position who could separate well enough in the intermediate to deep areas of the field, and that’s where Palmer’s skill set can help them the most. His mark of 15.26 air yards per target, along with his separation metrics, give the Bills something they did not have in 2024. That lack of separation skills was especially evident in the AFC Championship Game, as the Bills had to routinely settle for shorter targets, limiting their offense’s overall scope. Even though Palmer has modest statistics year over year throughout his career, and an average of 45.5 receptions for 571.8 yards per season, the Bills are investing in a still 25-year-old player who they likely believe has his best years ahead of him. Due to roster turnover, with both Amari Cooper and Mack Hollins becoming unrestricted free agents, Palmer won’t push anyone out of the starting lineup as it stands today.
Palmer isn’t a game-changing acquisition for the offense, but he is the piece they needed in so many different spots for their receiver room last year. Because of his background as a mostly rotational receiver in his time before Buffalo, the Bills will likely utilize him in a similar manner to help keep the full group fresh. Palmer does not, however, rule the team out from using an early draft pick on a receiver to complete their room. Regardless of the draft, having a receiver in Palmer who can separate and win vertically is a welcomed addition and one that could help bring some of that deep-ball magic Allen is known for back into the picture in 2025.
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March 9
Josh Allen agrees to terms on 6-year, $330 million contract, $250 million guaranteed
Analysis: It was only a matter of when, not if, the Bills and Allen would have a new deal in place. Before the two sides reached the new contract agreement, Allen’s deal carried a $43 million per year average, which was 14th amongst quarterbacks in the NFL. When it comes to Allen, their franchise player and one of the best players in the league, the Bills have been extremely proactive throughout his career in taking measures to stay ahead of any potential frustrations. Whether it’s through player acquisition or now staying ahead of the curve on two separate contract extensions, Beane has made it a point to take care of Allen. The newest extension is no different, now placing Allen tied for second in APY at $55 million, but easily eclipsing the previous high NFL mark for most guaranteed money.
Allen, the regular season MVP of 2024, easily had his best year to date with a receiving room he had to carry at times. He limited his turnovers, made great decisions, made it a habit to carve up whatever defensive approach teams used against him, and was a threat through the air and on the ground. Allen is firmly in the prime of his career, falling just shy of the Super Bowl in a three-point loss to the rival Kansas City Chiefs. The Bills know that they are in the golden years of Allen’s career right now, and all the contract extension moves they made this offseason to secure their young core around Allen aim to maximize their quarterback’s winning window through his early 30s. Even though he’s still right in the middle of his prime, Allen has already made the case that he’s the best quarterback in franchise history.
The new contract will run through the 2030 season, which will be Allen’s age-34 campaign. Before the deal was reached, Allen had a scheduled cap hit of $44.73 million in 2025. It would not be a surprise if, through this negotiation, they created cap space for the upcoming season. Of that cap hit, $28.73 million was already there in prorated bonuses already paid out from the previous deal and can’t be moved to a different year, so the new contract won’t have a landslide of cap savings. However, based on how Beane has handled past contract extensions, it would not be a shock if the move helped create $10 million or more in cap savings. It’s a home run to have this deal done now, especially with more quarterbacks about to hit a payday around the league with the start of the new league year on Wednesday.
Bills release DE Von Miller
Analysis: Just one day after the Bills extended edge rusher Greg Rousseau through the next five seasons, the Bills waved goodbye to their big splash pass-rushing signing from the 2022 offseason. The team released Miller as a means to open up cap space in 2025, and they’ll get an immediate boost of $8.4 million to their spending amount this offseason. With Miller accounting for a $23.8 million cap hit in 2025, and without any guaranteed money, the role the soon-to-be 36-year-old played didn’t warrant that type of cap commitment. Something had to give with Miller’s contract, whether it was him being released by the team or a massive pay cut.
Miller’s tenure with the Bills will be mired in a what-could-have-been. Knowing they needed a huge boost to their pass rush, the team signed Miller to a big free-agent deal despite the player heading into his age-33 season. Despite the risk, the returns were immediate. In 2022, the Bills’ pass rush was as potent as it had ever been since McDermott and Beane arrived in Buffalo. Miller was constantly getting into the backfield in his first Bills season, racking up eight sacks in his first 10 games. 20 snaps into his 11th game with the team, a road game against the Lions, Miller tore his ACL and was out the rest of the season.
Because the injury happened so late in the year, his 2023 campaign was derailed by rehabbing the injury. He didn’t return until Week 5, though he was not the same player. Miller ended the year without a sack and with massive questions about whether he had anything left in the tank. 2024 was a bounce-back season for Miller, though in a muted role. The Bills limited him to 15 to 30 snaps per game, mostly in a third-down role. He had six sacks and put together some good pressures, but the days of him being on the field nearly the entire game were long gone.
Even if the Bills were to bring back Miller on a low-cost one-year deal following the release, the Bills’ defensive end room is ripe for a notable addition this offseason, whether through free agency, trade or the 2025 NFL Draft.
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March 8
DE Greg Rousseau signs a four-year extension worth $80 million through 2029
Analysis: Rousseau was undoubtedly one of the Bills’ best and most consistent defenders in 2024. He was on the field constantly and was one of the key pieces to their pass rush, working from both the left and right defensive end positions. Although he has never hit the double-digit sack marker in a year, his pressure rate has consistently been on the higher side over the last few seasons. Beane said at the NFL Combine that he believed Rousseau was an ascending player, though they mentioned that they’d like him to be a consistent double-digit sack pass rusher.
The contract extension is a humongous vote of confidence that he’ll be able to get there.
The numbers on the deal are surprisingly on the low side, considering he turns 25 in April and remains a high-ceiling type of player. If Rousseau’s final APY is $20 million, that would make him the 12th-highest among edge rushers in the NFL, which will assuredly be topped by some free-agent deals in the coming days. For the Bills, they are hoping they got ahead of the player’s true prime on a contract that will look good in a few years. That’s how they approached the deal with right tackle Spencer Brown ahead of the 2024 season, and it worked out well.
They are also likely to get some cap space relief in 2025 as part of the deal. Rousseau cashes in before ever having to think about the open market on a contract that is higher than some of his stats would have pointed to. Either way, it’s a leap of faith by both player and team, but Rousseau has enough of an all-around game to make sure he remains a core starter through the length of the deal.
LS Reid Ferguson signs a four-year deal through 2028
Analysis: Just two days after the team released punter Sam Martin, one of their specialist trio, the team decided to bring back their long snapper Ferguson, a locker room mainstay. Ferguson was due to become an unrestricted free agent, but instead, avoided the open market and stayed with the only team he’s ever played for. He was already the longest-tenured player within the organization, having started his Bills career in 2016 when Rex Ryan was still the head coach. With new special teams coordinator Chris Tabor taking over the unit in 2025, Ferguson will likely continue his role as a leader within the locker room and that group. Ferguson will turn 31 later this month.
March 7
LB Terrel Bernard agrees to terms on a four-year extension worth $50 million through 2029
Analysis: Bernard took over the starting middle linebacker role in 2023 after Tremaine Edmunds left in free agency that offseason and burst onto the scene. Bernard compiled several flash plays and helped force turnovers, establishing his importance within the organization without delay. The 2022 third-round pick went on to be named the lone defensive captain for the 2024 season, a role he’s expected to carry now for the long term. McDermott has lauded Bernard for his leadership, so it was extremely clear that the Bills viewed him as a core piece moving forward if the money made sense.
There is still room for improvement with Bernard, too. His run defending was a bit inconsistent early on as a starter, though it improved, specifically near the end of the 2024 season.
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One of the biggest points of emphasis for getting Bernard to agree to a long-term contract is that longtime starting outside linebacker Matt Milano is likely nearing the end of his tenure with the Bills in the next year or two. Milano is signed through the 2026 season, though he turns 31 in July and has endured multiple long-term injuries throughout his career. Milano returned from an August torn biceps injury in December and started to look more like his pre-injury self with the more reps he took. However, 2025 could be Milano’s last year with the Bills, as they could release him next offseason and save over $5 million on the 2026 salary cap. With all that uncertainty, having Bernard in place for one of their two key linebacker positions was critical to them.
Bernard’s new contract terms has him, on average, making $12.5 million per season, which is now tied for the sixth-highest contract for an off-ball linebacker. Although it’s a higher figure relative to his position, it’s still well below the deal Edmunds signed with the Bears in 2023 and nowhere near Baltimore’s Roquan Smith ($20 million APY) at the top of the market. However, some of Bernard’s total figure could have some performance incentives that wouldn’t immediately impact the cap hits, which would then drive the APY down once the deal is signed. That was the case with wide receiver Khalil Shakir, who signed a contract extension recently. Originally reported with an APY of just a shade over $15 million, the contract came down to $13.25 million once the full details came out a few days later. The details of Bernard’s deal will be very important for a Bills team that is routinely close to the salary cap with a franchise quarterback signed on a massive contract.
The two most significant moves of the Bills offseason thus far have been to extend two players who wouldn’t have hit free agency until 2026. First, it was Shakir, and now it’s Bernard, with both now under contract for the next five seasons. Getting the 2026 class of free agents was a pressing issue for the Bills, given that they had seven starting players with expiring contracts — Shakir, Bernard, cornerback Christian Benford, defensive end Greg Rousseau, running back James Cook, center Connor McGovern and left guard David Edwards. It would not be a surprise if the Bills continued to attack this list of key starters in setting up the franchise with their core starters through the remainder of Josh Allen’s prime.
March 6
P Sam Martin released
Analysis: The Bills lacked clear cut candidates this offseason, but Martin stood out. The move will save the Bills just under $1.9 million on the 2025 cap. Martin turned 35 at the end of February, was entering the final year of his contract and had a $500,000 roster bonus due just a few days after the start of the new league year on March 12. Of 34 qualifying punters with 20 or more punts, he had only the 20th-best punting average and the 27th-best net average. The Bills may have tipped their hand by signing Jake Camarda, a fourth-round pick in 2022 who spent two-plus years as the Buccaneers’ punter, to a reserve/futures contract in early January. They could also use a late-round pick on a punter. It’s their chance to get better and cheaper at the position and to give everyone the #Puntapalooza we (I) so desperately desire.
March 5
Khalil Shakir’s contract details emerge
Here are the details of Shakir’s new contract extension, according to a league source.
Shakir will carry an average per year of $13.25 million over the four-year extension. He received a $7 million signing bonus, which prorates over five years, he’ll get a $9.1M option bonus in 2026, which will also prorate over five years after it triggers, and the contract has a void year in 2030 for cap purposes.
Shakir’s cap hits by year:
2025: $2.59 million
2026: $6.79 million
2027: $13.92 million
2028: $15.02 million
2029: $15.97 million
2030 (void year): $1.82 million
Analysis: All in all, this appears to be an extremely team-friendly deal for the Bills to secure one of Allen’s most trusted targets. The APY landed him as the 27th-highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL, and that ranking is likely to go down as soon as free agency opens up. The Bills structure the vast majority of their long-term extensions similarly, which features short-term cap relief, with backloading the cap hits for later in the deal.
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Shakir’s 2025 cap hit actually went down from where it was before the contract ($3.41 million) and saved just shy of $1 million. The 2026 cap hit is extremely manageable, considering they have several players they can release in 2026 to create ample cap space. Then, in 2027, if the Bills were to do a simple restructure without adding another void year, they could save $6.5 million on that year’s salary cap. The Bills did very well on this deal.
March 3
TE Quintin Morris doesn’t get a restricted tender, according to a team source
Analysis: Although the Bills could have kept the right of first refusal option for Morris, it likely would have been well higher than his open market value. The lowest tender level would have been for $3.26 million. The likely outcome is the Bills hoping to bring Morris back on a more cost-effective deal. Morris proved his value on special teams over his three seasons in Buffalo, and he’s a bit underrated on offense as both a pass-catcher and a blocker. But without the offensive experience, it limits his open market value. Somewhere around $2 million seems like the sweet spot for Morris.
February 25
WR Khalil Shakir agrees to terms on a four-year extension through 2029
Analysis: The Bills entered the 2025 offseason knowing they’d have more cap space to work with than last offseason, but they also need to address their hefty group of five young upcoming free agents with rookie deals set to expire in 2026. In signing Shakir, they started to solve that 2026 issue as the NFL Scouting Combine began to ramp up. Even if his stats weren’t among the highest in the league, Shakir became one of the most important pieces of the Bills passing attack in 2024.
Playing primarily as the slot receiver, Shakir led the team in receiving yards in Josh Allen’s MVP season and became a critical target in late down and clutch situations for the franchise quarterback. The four-year deal keeps one of Allen’s most trusted targets in-house for the long term, and in a booming receiver market in free agency, what should be a modest cost. Once the deal is signed, Shakir will be under contract through his age-29 season, establishing him as one of the core pieces for the rest of Allen’s prime.
What stands out most about Shakir’s on-field ability was his consistency, dependability when targeted and underrated run-after-catch ability. While Shakir primarily lined up as the slot receiver, he also did much more than just work the middle areas of the field. He was a critical target on wide receiver screens to try and spread out a defense. When plays broke down, and Allen needed to improvise, Shakir showed a terrific knack for finding open space and, even at times, getting behind the defense for a big play. On top of all that, his contact balance to fight through tackle attempts is one of the best in the league.
While he isn’t the flashy receiver with gaudy stats, his consistency reflects the perfect embodiment of the type of glue guy the Bills have tried to keep since head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane arrived in 2017.
February 12
OL Alec Anderson re-signs for one year
Analysis: Anderson was an exclusive rights free agent, and it was an easy decision for the Bills to issue him the one-year tender. Anderson served as their jumbo package sixth offensive lineman all year, so he’ll retain that role and value heading into the 2025 season. Internally, the Bills have optimism that Anderson could develop into a starting option down the line. While there isn’t a pathway for that to happen this season without an injury, though both starting center Connor McGovern and left guard David Edwards are free agents in 2026. Anderson has experience at both guard and center. Anderson will be a restricted free agent in 2026.
(Top photo of Greg Rousseau: Timothy T Ludwig / Getty Images)
Will Bills’ Super Bowl Approach Finally Get ‘Rewarded’ In 2025?
Will Bills’ Super Bowl Approach Finally Get ‘Rewarded’ In 2025? ESPN’s Dan Graziano thinks so. The Kansas City Chiefs have ended Buffalo’s season four times. But can Allen and Co. put the mental scars behind them and power their way to a first-ever Super Bowl trophy? If there ever was a year for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills to claim their first- ever Super Bowl title, it’s 2025. The time is now for the Bills to win the Lombardi Trophy, says one expert. The Bills have a roster that has few holes, coupled with a top-notch coaching staff and weapons.
If there ever was a year for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills to claim their first-ever Super Bowl title, it’s 2025.
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Armed with a roster that has few holes, coupled with a top-notch coaching staff and weapons on both sides of the ball, the time is now for Buffalo.
But the AFC isn’t exactly a cakewalk, with a host of top-tier teams set to equally fancy their chances at hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. So the Bills are going to have to make it through a gauntlet of title-contending teams just to get to the big dance.
However, ESPN’s Dan Graziano thinks that this might finally be the year where everything comes together for the AFC East champs.
“They’ve been too good for too long to think that they’re never ever going to get over that hump,” Graziano said. “Plus, they play the Chiefs in the regular season every year, and they always beat them, so it’s not like they can’t do it, they haven’t been able to do it in the postseason. I’m optimistic.
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“I think this is a well-run organization, they’re not doing that thing, they’re like oh we’re going to stretch and make some move to get us over the hump, they’re re-signing the guys in their core, they’re building it and keeping it the right way. I think one of these years it gets rewarded.”
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) dives for a first down against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Graziano isn’t the only one who is optimistic, as many believe Allen & Co. will break through in 2025. But what always comes up when talking about Buffalo and the Super Bowl? The Kansas City Chiefs.
Some are off the Chiefs bandwagon, and for the Bills’ krpytonite, many see them as a weakened version of last year, but we still can’t discount a team that has ended Buffalo’s season four times.
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If there was ever a time for the Bills to capitalize on all their talent, 2025 feels like that time. But can Allen and Co. put the mental scars behind them and power their way to a first-ever Super Bowl trophy?
Seeing is believing, my friends.
Related: Can Bills’ Josh Allen Win Super Bowl With Average Receiver Room?
Related: Bills Pro Bowler Appears on ‘Today Show’ Revealing Major Goals For 2025
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Controversial ref call that sent Chiefs to Super Bowl could lead to biggest rule change in NFL history
Controversial ref call that sent Chiefs to Super Bowl could lead to biggest rule change in NFL history. NFL referees are human beings, not robots. NFL is still relying on human eyes and distant judgement to professionally place a ball in footballs, while as many large athletes push around in the same area. A microchip could also be placed inside footballs,. allowing instant movement tracking across the field, to help the NFL. If the NFL does add a microchip, it would rival instant replay as the biggest technological advancement the sport has ever seen. It wouldn’t be the first time that a Chiefs-Bills playoff game created a major change with a new rule. It would be the second time that the NFL has created a first-time rule with a major rule change. It could be the biggest change in the history of the NFL, and it could be a game-changer for the league. It’s also a game that has world championship implications. It was the AFC Championship game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs.
NFL referees are human beings, not robots.
And human beings make mistakes.
5 Josh Allen and the Bills lost the game but could help create a major rule change again Credit: Getty
For all of the chatter surrounding Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs receiving favorable calls in recent weeks, the reality is that all 32 NFL teams regularly benefit from yellow flags and calls — missed and correctly made — in every game.
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Robots aren’t taking over NFL decision making anytime soon.
But a historic rule could be coming, and it directly relates to a pivotal fourth-down call in the AFC Championship that had world championship implications.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen pushed hard for a first down on fourth-and-1 during the final period.
Many fans believed that Allen made the mark.
TV commentators also suggested that Buffalo had a first down.
“Reaching for it — it’s close,” CBS announcer Jim Nantz said.
“Here’s looking from the other side, where the football is. … Does he get enough to get to that line.”
“Those are two very different spots,” Tony Romo added.
Chaos followed, with big-bodied players for both teams pushing and shoving, as refs rushed in to make a call.
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5 Allen moved toward the line of scrimmage for a first down Credit: x@Rate_the_Refs
5 He had momentum and appeared to gain the necessary yardage Credit: x@Rate_the_Refs
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5 Refs converged but saw different things Credit: x@SharpFootball
5 With players pointing opposite ways, a ref finally made a big call Credit: x@SharpFootball
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“The Replay Official reviewed the short of the line to gain ruling, and the play was Upheld,” the NFL game book stated. “The ruling on the field stands.”
Anger followed, since a clear shot of Allen wasn’t viewable on TV, and it was obvious that refs never had a perfect angle of where the ball was in Allen’s hands in relation to the first-down marker.
“The ref who had a visual on the ball was overruled by the ref who was behind Allen and couldn’t see the ball,” a fan tweeted. “Yeah ok, seems legit.”
Buffalo led 22-21 before it turned the ball over on downs.
Kansas City followed with a touchdown drive to go ahead 29-22 and never trailed again, advancing to its third consecutive Super Bowl.
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But the real story was human error, not an NFL conspiracy.
Last year, Sports Business Journal reported that the league was testing optical tracking technology that would involve a camera-based system.
Human decisions involving first-down markers, backward and forward passes, punts, ball placement, intentional grounding and more could all be tracked.
A microchip could also be placed inside footballs, allowing instant movement tracking across the field.
“In my 24 years on television I have said the words MICROCHIP IN THE BALL a hundred times,” ESPN’s Tony Reali tweeted.
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“I do not understand how the greatest league in the world still has a guess method.
“Eye balling, from 30 yds away, trying to squint through a mass of humanity and walk in a straightish line to where it was, even when the other guy from the other sideline is somewhere else.
Patrick Mahomes has perfect response to Kermit jibes from Buffalo Bills after the Kansas City Chiefs’ huge win
“Technology exists, technology works, tech would be fun!”
Artificial intelligence could be used for good to help the NFL.
GPS tracking is normal within cars and smart phones.
But in 2025, the NFL is still relying on human eyes and distant judgement to professionally place a ball, while as many as 20 large athletes push each other around in the same area.
If the NFL does place a microchip in footballs to add highly detailed tracking on the field, it would rival instant replay as the biggest technological advancement the sport has ever seen.
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For frustrated Bills fans and bitter Chiefs haters, the NFL is already far behind the times and out of touch with modern technology.
“In Tennis, the Hawkeye is fun,” Reali added. “The oooooooohs and ahhhhhhs are amazing drama.
“I WATCH ENTIRE HIGHLIGHT VIDEOS of close Hawkeyes for fun! NFL could have this.”
This wouldn’t be the first time that a Chiefs-Bills playoff game created a major rule change.
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When Mahomes and Allen needed overtime to decide a winner in 2021, the NFL was eventually forced to change the core of its OT rules.
Four years later, the NFL is still trying to figure out how to properly spot the ball in the AFC Championship.
“PUT A MICRO CHIP IN THE BALL ALREADY!!!” a fan tweeted. “They have goal line technology in the Premier League and in tennis.
“NFL nah we good.”