Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane both spoke to the media at the NFL Combine this week in separate sessions.
Here are my observations of some of their comments:
What to do with a potential James Cook extension?
Both were asked about the third-year running back, who has one year left on his rookie contract and recently used social media to let the Bills know he should be paid $15 million a year in a new contract.
The first part of the answer from both men was they love Cook. I'm sure they do, and I do too. He became a key part of the Bills' more balanced attack last season.
But there's no way the Bills will pay Cook $15 million a year because of the position he plays and the fact he was on the field for less than 50% of the offensive snaps in 2024.
That type of salary is Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley money. This past season, Barkley was on the field for 74% of the snaps for the Philadelphia Eagles. And when McCaffrey was healthy for the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, he had a 76% snap count.
As good as Cook was this past season, the Bills turned to Ty Johnson on third down quite often and he was very effective.
Beane mentioned NFL offenses have moved to more of a run/pass balance the last couple of seasons, which would make Cook more valuable. But I'd still be shocked if the Bills felt $15 million was the right value.
Prioritizing the defensive line
Expect the Bills to focus on getting help on the defensive front this offseason in any way possible. That means free agency, the draft and via the trade route (maybe Myles Garrett?).
Beane and McDermott are both firm believers in building teams from up front anyway, but that belief was certainly validated when they watched the Eagles do something the Bills haven't been able to do: Beat the Kansas City Chiefs in a playoff game.
The Eagles' defensive line manhandled the Chiefs' offensive line in Super Bowl LIX, and it killed Kansas City's offense.
The Bills need a game wrecker up front on that side of the ball. It's hard to get one where the Bills are drafting at 30th overall in Round 1. It's extremely costly to land one in free agency, so a trade might be the best option.
The Bills should also make defensive tackle a high priority for the draft. They need help inside for Ed Oliver.
What's the future of Von Miller in Buffalo?
When asked about the future of the future Hall of Fame pass rusher, Beane said they are still looking at different things. Unless Miller agrees to a big pay cut for a second-straight season, you should expect the Bills to release him as a way to open over $8 million in salary cap space.
A need for speed at wideout
If you think the Bills need to add speed to their wide receiver room, then you're in the same company with both the Bills head coach and general manager. Bank on them doing that this offseason.
McDermott talked about it not just from a deep throws standpoint, but from shorter throws and run after catch yards. Think about Tyreek Hill's big plays, and how many times it's a short pass followed by Hill blowing past defenders.
Call the Bishop?
It sure sounded like both Beane and McDermott have penciled in Cole Bishop as a starting safety for the 2025 season.
McDermott said Bishop didn't look like a rookie last season, and they will be counting on him. Beane used the same words when he talked about expecting Bishop to have an impact on the defense next season.
Oh (defensive) captain, my captain
Terrel Bernard had a good 2024 season, but he didn't have the number of splash plays he recorded in 2023.
McDermott had an interesting answer, explaining that Bernard was trying to do too much early in the season. From the midpoint of the schedule through the postseason, those splash plays came back, with the playoff win over the Baltimore Ravens being a prime example.
Bernard's contract will probably be on the mind of Beane this offseason since the linebacker is going into the final year of his rookie deal.
Pen to paper
On the topic of contracts, the Bills made a smart move by giving wide receiver Khalil Shakir a four-year contract extension.
Shakir, who also had just one year remaining on his rookie deal, is coming off a breakout 2024 season. He is definitely the most reliable and sure-handed weapon in the passing game.
Shakir was third in the NFL in yards after catch last season, fifth in yards after contact, and eighth among wide receivers in catch percentage.
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