Firepower Addition Rumored for Line of the Buffalo Bills

As the Buffalo Bills enter the final stretch of the regular season with Super Bowl aspirations, a new rumor has emerged that’s igniting excitement among Bills Mafia: the team is reportedly exploring a firepower addition to one of its most critical units—the defensive line. With the AFC playoff field stacked with elite offenses (including the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens), the Bills have made no secret of their desire to strengthen their pass rush and run defense, two areas that could make or break their championship hopes. The rumored addition—said to be a proven veteran defensive lineman with a track record of disrupting opposing quarterbacks—would address a key depth need and give the Bills a more fearsome front four heading into January. Firepower Addition Rumored for Line of the Buffalo Bills breaks down the details of the rumors, potential targets, why the Bills are pursuing this move, and what it could mean for their playoff push.

Firepower Addition Rumored for Line of the Buffalo Bills first gained traction this week after NFL insiders Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport both mentioned the Bills in reports about teams “actively exploring defensive line upgrades” before the league’s postseason roster deadline. Schefter noted on ESPN’s “NFL Live” that the Bills have “reached out to multiple teams” about available pass-rushers, while Rapoport added that Buffalo is “willing to part with a late-round draft pick” to land a impact player. The rumors align with comments from Bills general manager Brandon Beane earlier this month, when he said, “We’re always looking to improve, especially in areas that can help us win in the playoffs. Our defensive line is strong, but depth never hurts—especially this time of year.” While no specific names have been confirmed, league sources have linked the Bills to players like Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dawuane Smoot (6 sacks this season) and Cleveland Browns tackle Shelby Harris (4 sacks, 12 tackles for loss), both of whom are in the final year of their contracts and play positions where the Bills lack proven backups. For Bills fans, the rumors are a sign that the front office is aggressive about winning now—a welcome change from the team’s more conservative approach in years past.

To understand why Firepower Addition Rumored for Line of the Buffalo Bills makes strategic sense, look at the team’s current defensive line depth chart. The Bills’ starting front four—Ed Oliver (tackle), DaQuan Jones (tackle), Greg Rousseau (end), and A.J. Epenesa (end)—has been solid, combining for 28 sacks and 45 quarterback hits this season. But behind them, the options are thin: backup tackle Tim Settle has just 1 sack and 8 tackles, while reserve end Kingsley Jonathan has yet to record a sack in limited snaps. This lack of depth was exposed in Week 15, when Jones missed the game with a knee tweak and the Bills allowed the Pittsburgh Steelers to rush for 162 yards—their highest total since Week 3. Against elite rushing attacks like the Ravens (led by Lamar Jackson) or Chiefs (Isiah Pacheco), the Bills need a reliable backup who can step in and stop the run while also generating pressure. “Our starters are great, but if one of them goes down in the playoffs, we’re in trouble,” said former Bills defensive lineman Marcell Dareus in a radio interview. “Adding a veteran who can play multiple positions—like Smoot or Harris—would give them that safety net. It’s a smart move, and it’s exactly what championship teams do.”

Firepower Addition Rumored for Line of the Buffalo Bills also reflects the Bills’ desire to match the firepower of their AFC rivals. The Chiefs boast Chris Jones (11 sacks) and Felix Anudike-Uzomah (6 sacks), while the Ravens have Justin Madubuike (13 sacks) and Odafe Oweh (7 sacks)—fronts that can pressure quarterbacks without blitzing, making it harder for offenses to protect the passer. The Bills’ current pass rush, while effective, relies heavily on Oliver and Rousseau; adding another threat would force opposing offensive lines to split their attention, creating more one-on-one matchups for the starters. For example, if Smoot were to join the Bills, he could rotate in at defensive end, allowing Rousseau to shift inside on passing downs—a move that would exploit slower interior linemen. “Having four guys who can get to the quarterback changes everything,” said Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier in a recent press conference. “It makes our defense more unpredictable, and it puts more pressure on the offense to adjust. That’s the kind of edge we need in the playoffs.” For the Buffalo Bills, this addition isn’t just about depth—it’s about creating a defensive line that can dominate against the best teams in the league. “We want to be the team that other offenses fear,” Frazier added. “Adding this kind of firepower gets us closer to that goal.”

Another layer of Firepower Addition Rumored for Line of the Buffalo Bills is the financial feasibility of the move. The Bills currently have approximately \(4.5 million in available salary cap space, which is enough to absorb the remaining salary of a player like Smoot (owed roughly \)1.2 million for the rest of the season) or Harris ($800,000). Unlike in previous years, when the Bills were tight against the cap, Beane has structured contracts to leave room for midseason upgrades—part of his long-term plan to keep the team competitive. The Bills also have extra draft capital (they hold three seventh-round picks in 2025) to use as trade bait, which is appealing to teams looking to offload veterans for future assets. “The Bills have the resources to make this happen—both financially and in terms of draft picks,” said salary cap expert Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap. “Beane has done a great job of managing the cap so they can be aggressive at the right time. This is that time.” For the Buffalo Bills, the cost of the move is minimal compared to the potential reward: a Super Bowl title. “You can’t put a price tag on winning a championship,” Fitzgerald added. “If this addition helps them get over the hump, it’s worth every penny.”

The final dimension of Firepower Addition Rumored for Line of the Buffalo Bills is the fan and locker room reaction. Bills Mafia has embraced the rumors, with #BillsAddFirepower trending locally on Twitter and fans debating which player would be the best fit. One fan created a mockup of Smoot in a Bills jersey, which was shared over 10,000 times, while another started a petition asking the team to “go all in” on the addition. In the locker room, players have also voiced their support: Oliver told reporters, “Anytime you can add a guy who can help us win, that’s exciting. We have a great group, but more talent never hurts.” Even quarterback Josh Allen weighed in, saying, “Our defense is already tough—adding another pass-rusher would make them scary. I can’t wait to see what the front office does.” While the rumors haven’t been confirmed, the excitement around them is a sign of how high expectations are in Buffalo this season. For the Buffalo Bills, the stakes couldn’t be higher: after coming close to a Super Bowl in 2020 and 2022, this team has the talent to win it all—but they need every edge they can get. If the firepower addition becomes a reality, it could be the missing piece that finally brings a Lombardi Trophy back to Western New York. “This is our year,” said Bills fan Mike Sullivan, who has attended games since 1990. “Adding this player would make that dream come true. Let’s go Bills.”