The Bills’ cap constraint has put further pressure on quarterback Josh Allen.
Buffalo, which began Wednesday with the league’s worst salary-cap scenario, released many key veterans, including starting center Mitch Morse, safety Jordan Poyer, cornerbacks Tre’Davious White and Siran Neal, running back Nyheim Hines, and wide receiver/kick returner Deonte Harty.
The Bills’ cuts of S Jordan Poyer, C Mitch Morse, CB Siran Neal, WR Deonte Harty, and RB Nyheim Hines will result in approximately $25.96 million in salary cap space.
Buffalo started the day $40 million over the cap.
The release of Tre’Davious White will result in an additional $10.2 million, but only after… https://t.co/XappVwclC0
• Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 6, 2024.
The Bills are counting on head coach Sean McDermott, who has defensive experience, to field a competitive defense without two key secondary players.
Poyer started 107 games for Buffalo during the last seven seasons, making the Pro Bowl in 2022 and earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2021. While White has had terrible injury luck (only playing in 10 games over the last two seasons), when fit, he is one of the league’s greatest corners. In his career, quarterbacks have a 53.1 completion rate when targeting the former LSU Tiger.
Since McDermott took over as head coach in 2017, the Bills have had the top-ranked pass defense twice and a top-10 unit four times, including in 2023, when they were ranked seventh in the NFL.
This will be McDermott’s most difficult challenge yet, especially given the AFC’s high-octane offenses, including Buffalo’s own division.
The Miami Dolphins have a dangerous passing offense, and the New York Jets should be much better with Aaron Rodgers as quarterback. The Patriots are anticipated to select a talented rookie quarterback with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, making them more difficult to defend in the ensuing season.
And, of course, the Chiefs remain a major hurdle, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes certain to feast on Buffalo’s new secondary when given the opportunity.
Allen had already been asked to lead the Bills’ entire offense for most of his time in Buffalo, but with the team’s newest round of cuts, his burden has grown even heavier.
