The most recent version of the Buffalo Bills have checked off almost every box they can check outside of the really big one. Entering 2025, they have a league MVP, an Executive of the Year, plenty of Pro Bowlers and a stacked roster from top to bottom. There are always question marks, though, so as we enter the deeper part of the 2025 offseason, it’s time to look at some of those potential answers.
Which Buffalo Bills are under the most pressure to perform in 2025? There are a lot of factors that go into that, so let’s look at some candidates.
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Head coach Sean McDermott (and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich)
Where have the Bills fallen short in the biggest moments? Coaching. Boneheaded mistakes in big moments like 13 seconds are one thing, but allowing the Chiefs to score their highest point total of the season two weeks before getting absolutely rocked by the Eagles is another. McD and his hand-picked protege Bobby Babich need to step up, especially in the playoffs, and especially against the Chiefs. This ain’t news.
Running back James Cook and center Connor McGovern
I am lumping them together because their success not only impacts the team, but both are in the last year of their contracts. They are playing for big money in addition to big expectations. I don’t know if those deals will be in Buffalo or elsewhere, but these Pro Bowlers will want top dollar or else they would have signed by now. They could both play their ways into contracts near the top of the market in 2025. A.J. Epenesa isn’t a former Pro Bowl player, but he’s played a lot of snaps over the last few years and is also looking for a new deal.
Wide receiver Keon Coleman and tight end Dalton Kincaid
Two Bills pass-catchers that underperformed admittedly lofty expectations in 2024, both Coleman and Kincaid could be looking down the barrel of being replaced on the roster if they don’t take a step forward in 2025. Both were dealing with nagging injuries last season, but could make huge impacts this season — or they could be replaced next offseason.
Special teams coach Chris Tabor
The NFL has tweaked their kickoff rules, which means more innovation is likely to enter the chat. Can Tabor make the change after giving up the first dynamic kickoff return touchdown in NFL history in 2024? Oh yeah, Quintin Morris (73% of ST snaps in 2024), Nicholas Morrow (41%), Casey Toohill (30%) , Mack Hollins (22%), Kaiir Elam (15%) are all gone and Baylon Spector (35%) and Cam Lewis (57%) aren’t roster locks. Such is the life of a special teams coordinator.
Defensive end Greg Rousseau
Show up in the biggest moments. Von Miller was a ghost against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game, playing just 16 snaps with one assisted tackle to show for it. Ed Oliver balled out in that game, notching two QB hits and a fumble recovery. After signing a big contract this offseason, it’s Groot’s turn to take the next step like Spencer Brown did a year ago after signing his extension.
Safety Cole Bishop
Bishop missed a big chunk of his rookie offseason with an injury, but he looks poised to enter the starting lineup in his sophomore season. Like Coleman, if he has a subpar season, the Bills will be looking to replace him as soon as next offseason.
DT DeWayne Carter
The Bills kinda went out of their way to replace DeWayne Carter this offseason, eh? A few free agents, a couple draft picks, and all of the sudden we’re talking about how versatile Carter is just to justify his roster spot one year after his pick in the third round.
Kicker Tyler Bass
Bass seemed to rebound from his yips during the 2024 season and the Bills didn’t bring in any competition this offseason. He is the locked in kicker and his salary is guaranteed, but the way his contract works, Bass will be very easy to move on from in 2026. Buffalo will definitely pay him $4 million in 2026 with a good season, but if he’s shaky?
Left tackle Dion Dawkins (and RT Spencer Brown)
First of all, keeping Josh Allen upright is job 1A. This offseason, Dawkins lobbied the NFL to install a new Protector of the Year Award and they obliged. If he comes out and face-plants in the first year the award exists, that’s not a good look especially when he just signed a nice new deal a year ago. But seriously, keep Josh Allen healthy for real.
Quarterback Josh Allen
If you know ball, you know Josh Allen isn’t the reason the Bills haven’t gone to the Super Bowl and won the whole damn thing. But. When it’s time for the call to Canton, I don’t want Allen to go in as the best QB to never play in a Super Bowl. So it’s not fair to him, but he needs to keep wearing the cape, even with the MVP award and the awesome wife and the huge contract.
Guys I didn’t include on my list and why
General manager Brandon Beane
I don’t think Beane is on the hot seat with ownership or the fan base right now. And he shouldn’t be.
Wide receiver Khalil Shakir
As long as they keep saying everybody eats, he doesn’t need to be THE GUY.
Wide receivers Curtis Samuel, Josh Palmer, and Elijah Moore
The Bills have brought in a bunch of receivers, so any one of them doesn’t really have pressure on them. As long as everybody eats, individual receivers can go week to week.
Cornerbacks Maxwell Hairston, Tre’Davious White, and Dane Jackson
Individually, they all have a fair amount of pressure this offseason. But in the same way the receivers have coverage if they falter, the multitude of options here make it not as worrisome, I think.
Head to the comments to share your thoughts.Sign up for your own account here to leave a comment.
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