What Bills fans need to know about player offseason workouts | 2024
Buffalo’s roster of players returns to One Bills Drive this week for the start of their voluntary offseason conditioning program. Each year the Bills roster undergoes change, much like any other NFL club, but the 2024 roster underwent arguably the most significant turnover in the Beane-McDermott era. Below we outline some of those changes and what to look for as the team begins their preparations for the 2024 campaign.
Who’s back?
With 22 unrestricted free agents, turnover on Buffalo’s roster was anticipated, but there were a handful of players both fans and the front office were hoping to return to the fold. Chief among them was starting defensive tackle, Da’Quan Jones.
Fortunately, the Bills and the defensive stalwart were able to agree on a new two-year contract keeping him in the fold through the 2025 season.
“Really, it came down to just being comfortable in the system,” Jones said after re-signing with the club. “I enjoy how coach Sean McDermott coaches the defense, and how we’re able to play up front kind of just go on the attack. Really the whole deal, so special. And I really love those guys. I know we’ve got a lot of guys in coming back.”
The Bills were also able to bring DE AJ Epenesa back on a two-year deal to further fortify a defensive front that had eight unrestricted free agents this spring.
Buffalo additionally re-signed Taylor Rapp and Cam Lewis, who will bring some welcome continuity to the safety position after the departures of long-time starters Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer.
On offense OL David Edwards, who played a sixth-man type role on Buffalo’s offensive line last season will be in line to start at left guard with last year’s starter Connor McGovern expected to slide into the pivot at center. RB Ty Johnson was also brought back into the fold after signing right before the 2023 season and moving up the depth chart through the course of the season to serve as James Cook’s primary backup by season’s end.
Restricted free agent TE Quintin Morris also agreed on a new contract with Buffalo.
Who’s new?
Bills GM Brandon Beane with a cap-constrained budget said there wouldn’t be any big splashes in free agency, but he was able to bolster the roster with some proven veteran talent through the course of the spring.
He split the signings right down the middle with five on offense and five on defense.
Among the more notable additions was WR Curtis Samuel, who signed a three-year contract after some productive seasons in Washington and Carolina. Safety Mike Edwards, who is fresh off a Super Bowl title winning season with Kansas City. DT Austin Johnson, a full-time starter the past two seasons with the L.A. Chargers. And most recently, the addition of seven-year starting offensive tackle, La’el Collins.
We also saw the return of backup QB Mitchell Trubisky, who re-signed for a second stint after serving as Josh Allen’s backup in 2021.
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