Bills ranked among NFL ‘most vulnerable’ division winners

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane gave new meaning to the phrase “spring cleaning” during the 2024 NFL offseason.

The executive parted ways with several longtime starters in an effort to extend the team’s championship window and create long-term financial flexibility; Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Tre’Davious White, Gabriel Davis, Mitch Morse and Stefon Diggs were all shown the exit door this spring, eliminating an abundance of production and experience from a Buffalo roster that has been l one of the best in the league in recent years. these last years.

The Bills have qualified in the last five playoff series, winning at least one playoff game in the last four. The team has won the AFC East in each of the last four seasons, but some league experts feel like Buffalo could now be vulnerable in the division given its offseason overhaul. CBS Sports writer Cody Benjamin is in that camp, recently identifying Buffalo as the NFL’s third most vulnerable defending division champion to lose its crown in the 2024 NFL season.

“The reality is that as long as Allen is at full strength, Buffalo is going to be tough,” Benjamin wrote. “We might also rule out Dalton Kincaid as one of the primary outlets for their offense. Still, the competition could be tough.

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“The New York Jets are once again putting all their eggs in Aaron Rodgers’ basket, but if the 40-year-old former MVP can actually stay on the field, they have all-star talent on both ends to do a real run. The Miami Dolphins have obstacles to overcome in cold weather and big game, but their track speed remains dangerous. And the rebuilding New England Patriots might be slightly better with Jerod Mayo at the helm.

While the Bills are still a solid team with an offense led by a supernatural quarterback in Josh Allen, it would be a bit reckless and ignorant to simply overlook the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. New York’s defense is among the best in the league, and if Aaron Rodgers can stay healthy and solidify a relationship with Garrett Wilson, they could be contenders. The Dolphins are also incredibly talented and led the division for much of the 2023 season, with Buffalo only reclaiming the crown with a Week 18 win at Miami.

And while it would be naive to overlook the Jets and Dolphins, it would also be ignorant not to look at the additions the Bills have made to their roster. The offense is still led by Allen, and although the team omitted weapons like Diggs and Davis during the offseason, it added external reinforcements in the form of underrated Curtis Samuel and second-round rookie Keon Coleman. Combine them with second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid and third-year contributor Khalil Shakir, and you have the makings of a solid aerial attack.

The defense, although now without Hyde and Poyer, reloaded the defensive backfield with Mike Edwards and second-round pick Cole Bishop – combining their talent with head coach Sean McDermott’s penchant for effectively coaching defensive backs and the fact that the defense returns all nine of its other starters, and it’s safe to assume that Buffalo’s defense will once again be one of the best in the league this year.

Offseason maneuvering aside, the Bills are still one of the best teams in the league and should still be contenders come January. After all, they are favored to win the AFC East for a reason.