WGR

‘The most pressing short-term issue at this position is what happens with Levi Wallace. The most important longer-term issue is the recovery of Tre’Davious White from his torn ACL, suffered in November.’

‘What more can you say or write about a position that has two All Pros, both who’ve been with the organization for five years, are leaders of the number-one ranked defense in the NFL last year, and both still under contract for one and two more years?’

‘“Change is good once in a while,” McDermott said while speaking from a podium to a large gathering. “It’s different. I think there’s different perspectives that are brought to the table. New ideas. And I think that continues to challenge the norm and the standard, and I think that’s healthy. With that, though, comes some challenges of building that team that is within the overall team. So the staff, to me, represents a team within the team. The chemistry on the staff, getting people on the same page with how we’re teaching, whether it’s fundamentals, our offensive playbook, our defensive playbook, special teams, that’s critical, because then you’ve got to teach it a certain way and I think all of those little things lead to success on the field.”’

‘The Bills currently have seven linebackers on their active roster, and every one of them is under contract for the 2022 season. That’s great news, but does not mean there aren’t decisions to be made.’

‘There are two really big questions facing this position group in the short-term. One, should the team move on from Star Lotulelei, who is still under contract for two more seasons? Two, should they re-sign Harrison Phillips, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent?’

‘After two years in Buffalo and the Bills still searching for a consistent pass rusher from the edge, it’s unclear if Epenesa will ever provide that role. He still has a chance to be a solid contributor, but Year 3 is going to be huge for him, and this offseason the Bills have to figure out if they believe Epenesa can become a more impactful player for them in 2022 as they decide how to approach the position.’

‘The new additions to the staff include Marcus West as Assistant Defensive Line Coach, Jaylon Finner and Kyle Shurmur, both Defensive Quality Control Coaches, and Cory Harkey as Assistant Special Teams Coach. Harkey replaces Matthew Smiley who is now the Special Teams Coordinator, taking over for Heath Farwell who left for the same position with the Jacksonville Jaguars.’

‘The 27-year-old has been with the Bills since he was drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Jacksonville State. Neal has spent time playing as a reserve cornerback when called upon, but has found his home being a major part of the Bills’ special teams unit.’

‘Williams and Feliciano were both priority free agents to retain last offseason and now one year later both are cut candidates.’

‘With the uncertainty surrounding both Cole Beasley and Isaiah McKenzie, there’s still a chance the Bills could re-visit Sanders being re-signed to the team again in 2022, especially because he has the ability to play both outside and in the slot. However, it feels like the Bills will, most likely, move on and look for someone different, and younger.’

‘The time may be now to give Diggs an extension so that it doesn’t become problematic, but also make sure they lock in one of the best receivers in the game for several more years, and have financial certainty as far as his number.’

‘As John Ourand from the Sports Business Journal tweeted on Monday, signs are pointing to a season-opening game this September in Los Angeles between the Bills and Broncos. This is unless Aaron Rodgers moves on from the Green Bay Packers to join the Denver Broncos this offseason.’

‘The 60-year old Babich has been the team’s linebackers coach since 2017, joining Sean McDermott’s staff right after he was hired as head coach of the Bills.’

‘It will be interesting to see how new offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey employees Knox, but there’s no doubt he is now a legitimate starter and receiving threat who they also trust to be a blocker. By the end of the season, Knox rarely came off the field, playing over 90% of the offensive snaps in eight of the final nine games.’

‘The Bills also spent $18 million to build a new 41,000 square-foot performance and training center directly inside the footprint of their practice facility. It opened in the spring of 2019, which just-so-happens to coincide with when those injury numbers began reducing drastically.’