Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘Given where Shenault is five years into his underwhelming career, it would seem his chances of making the Bills’ 53-man roster hinges on one thing: Can he become the team’s full-time kickoff returner, a duty he has added to his repertoire since 2022, though even that seems like a longshot.’

‘“That was a pretty, pretty cool signing,” Allen said Wednesday, shortly after it was announced that the Bills had agreed to terms with Bosa on a one-year, $12.6 million contract, a deal Bosa signed Thursday at One Bills Drive. “He’s gotten to me a couple times in my career.”’

‘The general consensus was that Hamlin was going to have a market in unrestricted free agency because he does have 27 career starts with the Bills, but that apparently did not materialize for the former sixth-round pick who turns 27 in two weeks.’

‘Forrest entered the league as a fifth-round pick in 2021 and actually started 11 of 17 games in 2022, a year in which he made 88 tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and one recovery.’

‘The 6-foot-3, 305-pounder entered the league in 2017 as a third-round pick of the Cleveland Browns, and that began a journey that took him to every AFC North team except the Baltimore Ravens as he also played for the Cincinnati Bengals and most recently, three years with the Pittsburgh Steelers.’

‘On the surface, yes, it’s not much of a return for the Bills, but given the way Elam has played in his first three years in the NFL, it’s understandable. The key part of the deal is the Bills will save around $2.5 million on the salary cap, something they could not have done had they just released him.’

‘There is no question that Bosa has been a terrific player since entering the league in 2016 as the No. 3 overall pick in that draft by the Chargers. He has spent his entire nine-year career in Southern California and had racked up 72 sacks, but he has missed a lot of time in the past three seasons due to injuries.’

‘Across four seasons he caught 182 of 266 targets for 2,287 yards and 10 TDs. Those numbers don’t blow you away, especially given that he was playing with a star QB in Justin Herbert, but Palmer, who turns 26 in September, feels like a player on the rise.’

‘Hoecht joined the Rams as an undrafted free agent as a 310-pound defensive tackle, and he has lined up all across the line during his time in Los Angeles.’

‘Multiple reports Sunday night say the Buffalo Bills are tearing up Allen’s current contract which would carry him through the 2028 season and now have him locked up for six years, through 2030, a $330 million extension that brings with it $250 million in guaranteed cash.’

‘By releasing the edge rusher, the Bills free up about $8.4 million in salary cap space. In combination with the contract extensions for wide receiver Khalil Shakir, linebacker Terrel Bernard and edge rusher Greg Rousseau – all of which lowered their cap numbers for 2025 – it is believed that the Bills are now under the $279.2 NFL-mandated cap ceiling.’

‘The report is that it’s a four-year, $80 million deal with a whopping $54 million guaranteed. Still, even with the high guarantee, this is actually a pretty good contract for both sides given that there was speculation Rousseau could approach a $25 million annual average value.’

‘It’s a strategy they would like to continue with two other 2022 draft picks whose rookie contracts expire after the 2025 season, cornerback Christian Benford and running back James Cook.’

‘The Bills are coming off a 2024 season where they set a new franchise record for most points scored with 525, and the bulk of that unit is returning in 2025, and there’s also a good chance that they’ll be able to re-sign three key backups in Hollins, Johnson and Gilliam. If they bring back those three, and Beane can add a receiver in free agency or the draft, that unit is in good shape.’

‘In 2024, his net average was a mundane 39.8 yards which ranked 24th in the league, and his 25 punts downed inside the 20 ranked tied for 16th. He also did not excel in the area of hang time as his average of 4.23 seconds tied for 27th.’