Uncertainty surrounds the Buffalo Bills as they head into the 2024 NFL season. The team has traded away star wide receiver Stefon Diggs and lost wideout Gabriel Davis to free agency, significantly weakening their offense. Additionally, they haven’t made any major acquisitions to bolster their roster.
On the defensive side, the Bills might lose star safety Micah Hyde, who is contemplating retirement. However, Hyde has stated that if he continues playing, it will only be for the Bills.
Buffalo has experienced a challenging offseason marked by significant changes. Despite being seen as potential Super Bowl contenders last season, they fell short. Now, due to their cap situation, the Bills may need to make additional moves before the 2024 season.
Bleacher Report recently proposed that the Buffalo Bills might contemplate releasing veteran pass-rusher Von Miller to alleviate their cap space. The rationale behind this suggestion was explained in detail.
Parting ways with Miller would involve absorbing a significant dead cap hit of $23.3 million, but trading him after June 1 would yield the most favorable cap savings of $8.8 million. Despite Miller’s stature, he did not hold a starting role for the Bills last season and failed to register any sacks. Nonetheless, the Bills could maintain a solid three-man rotation with Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, and Dawuane Smoot. Moreover, there are other veteran options available in the market, such as Yannick Ngakoue and Markus Golden, who could be acquired for less than the $8.8 million savings.
Although parting with Miller would be challenging, it would be a logical decision. Miller’s performance for the Bills in 2023 was underwhelming, as he appeared in only 12 games and managed just three tackles without any notable statistics. Given these numbers, retaining him at his current salary would not be justified.
While acknowledging Miller’s illustrious career, releasing him would be a prudent move for the Bills. The savings in cap space could be directed towards enhancing the team’s overall talent. At this stage of his career, Miller’s contributions on the field are limited, making his release a sensible option.
The Bills face an intriguing decision ahead of the 2024 season. Despite Miller’s positive influence in the locker room, the team should prioritize financial flexibility by parting ways with him.
