The Buffalo Bills should make one deal, cut, and sign.
Tyler Bass’s botched game-tying field goal try in the AFC divisional round adds another painful chapter to the Buffalo Bills’ tale of postseason heartbreaks. With quarterback Josh Allen leading the team, the Bills are still a Super Bowl candidate, but they have a lot of questions going into the summer and a limited budget.
In light of that, the following are the trades, cuts, and signings that the Bills ought to make in the upcoming months.
TRADE: Send WR Stefon Diggs to the New York Giants
The cash-strapped Bills had no realistic choice to part ways with the four-time Pro Bowler come off the back end of 2023, despite the controversy that had surrounded Diggs for the previous year and his dismal play in the second half of the season. Although it would save slightly more than $19 million in cap space, cutting Diggs with a post-June 1 designation wouldn’t be the best course of action because he can still have a significant impact.
Despite the drama surrounding Diggs over the past year and his lackluster performance in the second half of 2023, the cash-strapped Bills entered the offseason with few viable options to cut ties with the four-time Pro Bowler. Cutting Diggs with a post-June 1 designation would save just over $19M in cap space, but that route wouldn’t make as much sense since he can still be an impactful contributor.
However, trading Diggs away after June 1 would save the same amount of money as releasing him. While a potential trade partner would have to take on a hefty salary, the Giants might not mind, as they’re still searching for a true No. 1 wideout. Not to mention that Diggs thrived in Brian Daboll’s system when the Giants head coach was Buffalo’s offensive coordinator and has raved about playing for the 48-year-old.
Since this hypothetical scenario would play out after the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bills would have to get a succession plan for Diggs in order, which they could address in the first round. Perhaps a package that revolves around New York’s 2025 second- and third-round picks would appeal to Buffalo.
CUT: Cornerback Tre’Davious White
For as integral of a piece as White has been to the Bills defense throughout his career, releasing the two-time Pro Bowler would be disappointing, but it’s clearly the right move. Over the last three seasons, White has played just 21 games due to a torn ACL in 2021 and a season-ending Achilles injury in 2023.
White is scheduled to carry a $16.4M cap hit next season and is due a $1.5M roster bonus on March 18, so it’s possible a decision regarding his future will be made before then. Buffalo would save roughly $6.1M in cap space for 2024 by releasing White before June 1 and incur a $10.4M dead cap hit.
SIGNING: Safety Jeremy Chinn
GM Brandon Beane’s primary priority this offseason will be finding Micah Hyde’s replacement, as Buffalo is expected to move on from the upcoming free agent. Luckily for the Bills, there is a ton of quality in the 2024 free-agent safety class. Although they would undoubtedly love to acquire Xavier McKinney, Geno Stone, or Antoine Winfield Jr., Chinn is a more practical (and affordable) alternative.
Chinn, who Carolina selected with the second overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, never lived up to his impressive rookie campaign in which he led all rookies in tackles (116) and placed second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. Nevertheless, Panthers DC Ejiro Evero appeared to lose interest in the hybrid linebacker/safety in 2023, as he ended up playing just 39% of Carolina’s defensive snaps.
If Chinn can duplicate some of the success he experienced early in his career, the versatile defender’s addition could aid Buffalo in finally getting past Kansas City in the playoffs. According to Pro Football Focus, Chinn is projected to sign a one-year, $3M deal with $2M guaranteed this offseason, which would be an easy decision for Buffalo to offer.