Examining Bills' Free Agent Situation: No Franchise Tag Needed?
Don't expect the Buffalo Bills to apply the franchise tag to any of their free agents this offseason.
As ESPN points out, there aren't any potential Bills' re-signees who can command top dollar on the open market. Therefore, it makes no sense to guarantee a salary derived from averaging the NFL's five-highest paid contracts at the position to a second-tier free agent.
The Bills, who have not deployed the franchise tag in any of the past six seasons under general manager Brandon Beane, have proven players in place, and under contract, at the premium positions most likely to be tagged.
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Unlike so many NFL teams, Buffalo has the QB1 spot adequately secured as three-time MVP finalist Josh Allen is signed to a long-term deal. Stefon Diggs is paid handsomely as the team's No. 1 receiver while left tackle Dion Dawkins is on the midst of a multi-year deal. The Bills' top two cornerbacks— Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford —are also set to return. When it comes to edge rushers, pending free agents Leonard Floyd and AJ Epenesa proved their worth this past season, but Buffalo already has Von Miller signed to a mega deal and Greg Rousseau due back on his rookie contract.
The Bills likely have interest in bringing back starting defensive tackle DaQuan Jones and WR2 Gabe Davis Davis, but neither has a resume worthy of the franchise tag. By the looks of the receiver market, the latter may earn a deal too rich for the Bills to match. Meanwhile, the 33-year-old Jones may be willing to return at a modest price.
Even when Beane and Co. were presented with a legitimate franchise tag candidate last year, the team let linebacker Tremaine Edmunds walk in free agency. Terrel Bernard, a 2022 third-round draft pick, stepped up and made for a seamless transition into becoming the defense's on-field play caller.
Not only does Buffalo not have any tag-worthy names about to hit the free agent market, but it can't realistically afford to add a super-sized salary onto its cap-strapped books in 2024. The financial reality means the Bills will have to fill holes through the draft while also taking one-year fliers on some available veterans.
The two-week NFL franchise tag period begins on Tuesday.
ESPN Writes:
"In the past six offseasons under general manager Brandon Beane, the Bills have never used the franchise tag. There is little reason to believe that trend is going to change. While there are a number of free agents set to depart Buffalo, the team has a tight cap situation. While bringing back the likes of defensive tackle DaQuan Jones and defensive ends A.J. Epenesa and Leonard Floyd would make sense for the Bills, doing so with the franchise tag numbers wouldn't and doesn't fit what the team needs to do this offseason."
