Buffalo Bills: 5 things you may have missed from this offseason

Get a fast-paced look at the Buffalo Bills’ offseason moves and everything else you may have missed over the last few months.

The Buffalo Bills have transitioned from the rebuilding phase into the phase when they’re supposed to achieve and sustain success. Last season, they made the playoffs with a 10-6 record, losing to the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card.

The Bills are entering the 2020 season with some determination. Josh Allen and company are aiming to win the franchise’s first division title in 25 years.

It will be a hurdle for the Bills to reach atop of the AFC East division. Here’s what you need to know about their offseason, from new additions to even the team captains:

1. New additions

There are plenty of new pieces on this Bills team. Of all the additions Buffalo made, the most notable one was acquiring wide receiver Stefon Diggs, and a 2020 seventh-round pick. Buffalo parted ways with their first-round pick along with a fifth and sixth-round pick this year and a fourth-round selection in 2021. They also added Mario Addison, Quinton Jefferson, and Vernon Butler to the defensive line, while signing Daryl Williams and bringing in Josh Norman.

2. Who opted out?

A total of 66 players have opted out of the 2020 NFL season due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. Only E.J. Gaines and Star Lotulelei decided to forgo the upcoming season in Buffalo. Lotulelei was the starting defensive tackle for the Bills, so Ed Oliver will have to step in and fill the role of run-stopper for the strong defensive core. Gaines missed all of last season due to a core muscle injury.

3. Bills give out extensions

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In just three short seasons, Sean McDermott not only ended the Bills playoff drought but turned the team into a division favourite. Thanks to his efforts, the Bills rewarded McDermott with a six-year contract extension. A defensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers before taking over in Western New York, McDermott is 25-23.

The Bills also gave extensions to left tackle Dion Dawkins and All-Pro cornerback Tre’Davious White. The 26-year old Dawkins had one year left on his rookie contract and is now signed through the 2024 season. As for White, he inked a four-year, $70 million contract extension. White tied for the league lead with six interceptions last season. He’s now the NFL’s second-highest-paid cornerback behind Jalen Ramsey.

4. Team captains

There’s no doubt the Bills are a talented team with a lot of young rising stars. A good number of those players were elected as team captains. Their teammates selected Allen and Dion Dawkins as captains on offense. On defense, Tremaine Edmunds, Jerry Hughes, and Jordan Poyer were named captains. Reid Ferguson and Andre Roberts will be the captains on special teams.

5. The schedule

The Bills face an interesting post-Tom Brady AFC East life. They’re built better than the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins to be positioned to win the division. That chase begins Sunday against the Jets.

After their first game, they will face the entire AFC West and NFC West. For the second season in a row, the Bills will play Sunday Night Football, facing off against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Week 14 matchup.

What did you think of the Buffalo Bills offseason moves? Will it be enough to win the AFC East and perhaps more? Let us know in the comment section below.