Roster Insight from GM Shared for the Buffalo Bills

Brandon Beane, the Buffalo Bills’ general manager since 2017, recently sat down for an exclusive interview to share his insights on the team’s roster construction, offseason priorities, and path back to Super Bowl contention. With the Bills coming off an 8-6 season that left them on the playoff bubble, Beane’s comments offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at how the front office evaluates talent, balances short-term wins with long-term stability, and addresses the team’s most pressing weaknesses. For fans and analysts alike, Beane’s insights shed light on the decisions that will shape the Bills’ roster in the coming months—from free agency to the NFL Draft. Roster Insight from GM Shared for the Buffalo Bills breaks down his key takeaways and what they mean for the franchise’s future.

Beane began by emphasizing the value of retaining core talent—a strategy he says has been the foundation of the Bills’ success over the past five years. He highlighted the team’s decision to extend quarterback Josh Allen (through 2028) and wide receiver Stefon Diggs (through 2027) as critical moves that secure the offense’s centerpiece. “When you have a franchise quarterback like Josh, you build around him,” Beane said. “Keeping Stefon was just as important—they have chemistry that’s hard to replicate, and we didn’t want to break that core.” Beane also defended the decision to re-sign center Mitch Morse in 2025, noting that Morse’s leadership and knowledge of the offense were worth the investment, even with his injury history. “Injuries are part of the game, but Mitch’s ability to call plays and keep the line organized is irreplaceable right now,” he explained. However, Beane acknowledged that not all core retention has worked—citing the team’s struggles with offensive tackle Dion Dawkins, who has underperformed since his 2024 extension. “We take risks, and not all of them pay off,” he said. “But our priority is to keep the players who make us a contender, even when there are bumps in the road.” Roster Insight from GM Shared for the Buffalo Bills frames this core-first approach as a guiding principle for Beane’s tenure.

A major focus of Beane’s insight was the Bills’ offseason strategy to fix the offensive line—a weakness that has plagued the team for years. Beane admitted that past mistakes (like relying on late-round draft picks and aging free agents) had left the line in disarray, but he outlined a clear plan to address it in 2027. “We’re going to be aggressive in both free agency and the draft for the offensive line,” he said. “We have cap space to target a proven tackle—someone who can step in and protect Josh’s blind side immediately. And we’ll use a high draft pick (likely a first or second rounder) on a guard or center to build depth for the future.” Beane specifically mentioned that the Bills are evaluating top free-agent tackles like Orlando Brown Jr. (Chiefs) and Mike McGlinchey (Broncos), as well as draft prospects like Alabama’s JC Latham. He also noted that the team will not bring back aging linemen like Riley Reiff, who underperformed in 2026. “We can’t keep putting band-aids on this position,” Beane said. “We need to make long-term investments that will stabilize the line for years to come.” Roster Insight from GM Shared for the Buffalo Bills explores how this focused strategy could finally fix the Bills’ most persistent roster flaw.

Beane also shared his perspective on the Bills’ wide receiver corps—a group that has lacked depth beyond Diggs since Gabriel Davis was traded in 2025. He acknowledged that the team’s 2026 signings (Jarvis Landry, Josh Palmer) had not panned out, but he defended the logic behind the moves. “We took a chance on Landry because we thought his experience could help our young receivers, and Palmer was a late-round pick with upside,” Beane said. “Unfortunately, it didn’t work, but that’s part of scouting.” Looking ahead, Beane said the Bills will target a proven No. 2 receiver in free agency—mentioning names like Calvin Ridley (Jaguars) and Chris Godwin (Buccaneers)—and may use a mid-round draft pick on a developmental prospect. He also noted that the team will give second-year receiver Khalil Shakir a larger role in 2027, after he showed flashes of potential in limited snaps this season. “We need someone who can take pressure off Diggs—someone who can win one-on-one matchups and make plays downfield,” Beane said. For the Buffalo Bills, this focus on receiver depth is critical to unlocking Josh Allen’s passing ability and making the offense more unpredictable. Roster Insight from GM Shared for the Buffalo Bills highlights how Beane plans to rebuild this key position group.

Another key insight from Beane was his approach to developing young talent—a strategy he says will become more important as the Bills manage their salary cap in the coming years. With Allen, Diggs, and defensive end Von Miller taking up a large portion of the cap, Beane explained that the team will need to rely on late-round draft picks and undrafted free agents to fill out the roster. He pointed to success stories like linebacker Terrel Bernard (third round, 2022) and safety Damar Hamlin (sixth round, 2021) as examples of how the Bills have found value in later rounds. “We spend a lot of time scouting players who might be overlooked—guys with high character and work ethic who can grow into contributors,” Beane said. He specifically mentioned that the Bills will focus on drafting defensive backs and running backs in 2027, positions where young players can make an immediate impact. Beane also noted that the team will use its practice squad to develop players like rookie quarterback Kyle Allen (no relation to Josh), who could serve as a backup in future seasons. For the Buffalo Bills, this focus on youth development is not just a cost-saving measure—it’s a way to build a sustainable roster that can compete year after year. Roster Insight from GM Shared for the Buffalo Bills examines how Beane’s commitment to young talent shapes the team’s long-term future.

Finally, Beane addressed the pressure to win now—a topic that has become increasingly relevant as Allen enters his late 20s. He acknowledged that the Bills’ championship window is still open, but he warned against making reckless moves that could harm the team’s future. “We want to win a Super Bowl with Josh, but we can’t mortgage the future to do it,” Beane said. “Trading away high draft picks or overpaying for aging free agents might help us win one more game this season, but it would hurt us in 2028 and beyond.” Beane also pushed back on criticism that the front office has been too conservative, arguing that patience is necessary to build a consistent contender. “Look at the Chiefs—they’ve been competitive for a decade because they built through the draft and made smart free-agent moves,” he said. “That’s the model we’re following.” For the Buffalo Bills, Beane’s message was clear: the team is committed to winning a Super Bowl, but not at the expense of long-term stability. Roster Insight from GM Shared for the Buffalo Bills concludes by emphasizing that Beane’s roster decisions are guided by a balanced vision—one that honors the present while protecting the future.