For the third time within the final 4 years, the Buffalo Payments’ offseason plans will likely be contemplated following a playoff loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. It’s a sense that the Payments and their followers know – in a phrase dubbed by Chiefs tremendous fan Taylor Swift – all too nicely. However is that this offseason going to be totally different? Can they continue to be among the many AFC’s elite or is Buffalo’s Tremendous Bowl window closed?
Payments Offseason Plans for the 2024 Season
If we do a correct Payments season evaluation, this could possibly be thought-about a profitable season. Buffalo was as soon as 6-6 and barely hanging on within the playoff race. However the Payments turned issues round amidst a slew of accidents, received 5 in a row to complete the common season, and received the AFC East for the fourth straight season.
Nonetheless, after 5 straight journeys to the playoffs beneath Sean McDermott, the window to win a championship could possibly be closing. Are the Payments poised to stay a real contender in 2024?
Who’s Gone?
For starters, the Payments have an extended record of gamers heading into free agency. Veteran security Micah Hyde could possibly be gone after seven years in Buffalo. The Buffalo line of defense may additionally require wholesale adjustments with Leonard Floyd, Shaq Lawson, A.J. Epenesa, Jordan Phillips, and DaQuan Jones all scheduled to turn into free brokers.
On the offensive aspect of the ball, extensive receiver Gabe Davis and operating again Latavius Murray are notable free agents.
The Josh Allen Scenario
Josh Allen is by no means previous his prime or now not able to enjoying at a championship degree. He put collectively one other sturdy marketing campaign in 2023 and gave the Payments an opportunity to advance deep within the playoffs. He’ll be 28 in the beginning of the 2024 season and nonetheless seems like a quarterback who’s greater than able to successful a Tremendous Bowl.
The caveat is that he’s going to begin taking on extra of Buffalo’s wage cap. Allen was an $18.6 million cap hit in 2023 with that quantity leaping to $47.1 million in 2024. That may contribute to the Payments having the fourth-greatest wage cap deficit within the NFL in the beginning of the offseason. In different phrases, the Payments received’t have a lot payroll flexibility to encompass Allen with the assistance he wants to steer Buffalo to a Tremendous Bowl.
Getting Wholesome
The excellent news for the Payments is they will anticipate to get higher in 2024 simply by getting wholesome. As soon as once more, cornerback Tre’Davious White was absent from Buffalo’s playoff run due to an harm.
The Payments additionally noticed a rash of accidents at linebacker in 2023, most notably to Matt Milano. The crew entered the Divisional Spherical of the playoffs with simply 4 wholesome linebackers. By merely hitting the reset button in 2024 and getting wholesome, the Payments will begin to really feel higher about the place they stand at sure positions.
What’s Subsequent?
As talked about, the Payments will enter the offseason with an enormous wage cap deficit. Due to this fact, Buffalo’s offseason will seemingly start with buying and selling or slicing key gamers to get beneath the cap.
Defensively, White and security Jordan Poyer are potential wage cap casualties. The identical is true for offensive linemen Mitch Morse and Dion Dawkins. Buffalo will seemingly have to chop a number of gamers to get beneath the cap earlier than beginning to rebuild the roster for 2024.
Is the Window Closed?
So long as the Payments have Allen in his prime, it’s arduous to argue that their championship window is closed. Regardless of being foiled by the Chiefs thrice within the final 4 years, Buffalo has come near topping the perennial AFC favorites. Allen continues to be at some extent in his profession when he’s able to carrying the Payments on his again if wanted.
Nonetheless, it’s unimaginable to disregard the truth that Buffalo’s offensive line, line of defense, and secondary may all bear wholesale adjustments throughout the offseason. The offensive talent gamers round Allen will likely be largely the identical. However the remainder of the roster will seemingly be weaker and should be rebuilt over a number of off-seasons. That doesn’t shut the window for the Payments, though Buffalo’s probabilities of successful a championship subsequent season will likely be drastically diminished in comparison with previous seasons.
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