The Missed Playoff Streak is Over, Now What?

Coming into the 2017 offseason you could excuse Buffalo Bills fans for their level of frustration with their football team.  After all, a fan could argue that it had been forever since the team had the opportunity to take part in the NFL playoffs.  

To be exact, the Bills had previously made the playoffs and were on the wrong end of The Music City Miracle.  That occurred on January 8th of 2000.  You can imagine the satisfaction of seeing the 2017 Buffalo Bills make the playoffs after that long of a wait.

Head coach Sean McDermott will now be looked to for an encore season in 2018.  But he has several legitimate issues working against him.  First, McDermott's team must figure out how to handle starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor.  Taylor has held the starting job for three seasons but he has been the type of quarterback that you wish would give you just a little more.  

Taylor was 8-6 as a starter last season but tossed just 14 touchdown passes.  What keeps him starting?  He makes plays and typically takes care of the football as evident from his four interceptions in 2017.  Taylor is scheduled to count more than $18M against the cap in this season, and the team is reportedly looking to negotiate a salary reduction.  Whether Taylor takes that reduction or gets his release from the team remains to play out.

There are two additional markers that indicate that 2018 will not be as successful season for the Bills as presently constructed.  The team was out-gained in yardage and out-scored in point differential.  Typically those numbers show up in losing NFL teams.  So it's no surprise that the organization may be looking to change the direction of the team rather than building from the foundation of a 9-7 playoff team.

Bills fans waited 18 years for playoff football.  The changes the Bills make this offseason will dictate if they are rewarded with back-to-back playoff seasons.

Offensive Ranking: 29th

Defensive Ranking: 26th

Key Free Agents:  

Jordan Matthews - WR - Dealt with a thumb injury in 2017 while catching a career low 25 passes.  Had previously been a 70 catch receiver on average during his career.

Kyle Williams - DT - Still a solid run defender who played nearly 70% of the snaps in the Bills defense.  Will not command the $7M he has contractually over the past several seasons.

EJ Gaines - CB - Had a very good 11 games as a Buffalo Bill.  Team was 8-3 when he was starting and making plays as both a physical tackler and pass defender. 

Shareece Wright - CB - A five game starter who has bounced around the league as a veteran depth player.

Preston Brown - LB - Recorded 144 tackles this past season, tying for the NFL lead.  Consistently is among the tackle leaders for the Bills.  Makes up for this lack of speed with his great instincts.

Potential Cuts/Restructures:  

Tyrod Taylor - QB - Has scoffed at the idea of playing at a lesser salary in 2018.  Scheduled to make $16M in 2018 with his base salary and roster bonus.  Cap savings: $9.4M

Cordy Glenn - LT - Injuries have set Glenn's career back since signing his big contract.  The Bills could choose to release Glenn and designate him as a June 1 cut in order to split his cap hit.  Cap savings: $5M