The Rams have recovered from their 2022 collapse, but the Bills have the worst cap predicament in the NFL.
After a disorganised 5-12 season, a number of NFL executives discussed their opinions of the Los Angeles Rams’ all-in approach to roster building. Among them was Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane, who stated in April of last year that the team was trying to prevent a “tear down” by being “fiscally responsible” when it came to hiring talent.
A year later, the “fiscally responsible” Bills find themselves with the worst cap scenario in the whole league.
Buffalo has -$43.8 million in cap space ahead of free agency, according to Over the Cap. Brandon, just to refresh my memory, how financially prudent was it to sign 32-year-old Von Miller to a $120 million, six-year contract?
It’s admirable, I suppose, to want to avoid making the same mistakes the Rams did. Thank God, LA has to let go of expensive talent like Bobby Wagner, Allen Robinson, and Jalen Ramsey in 2022.
But with a shiny Lombardi Trophy to console them, the Rams’ season-long suffering was worthwhile after winning the Super Bowl.
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The success the Rams have enjoyed recently is much above what the Bills have accomplished. Actually, Buffalo consistently loses in the playoffs. Yes, Bills, you idiots still haven’t made me feel better about making me seem bad by mocking me for choosing against Patrick Mahomes in the Divisional Round. I shouldn’t have started with that. Seriously, who would wager against Patrick Mahomes? And you failed at the one job you had!
During the regular season, Buffalo has been among the best in the AFC under Beane. The Bills are only able to win divisional titles as championships. While winning four straight AFC East titles is commendable, the team’s performance in finishing 5-5 and making one AFC Championship trip (2020) is below average given Josh Allen’s leadership.
The Bills have an unclear offseason ahead of them as they may have to let go of key players like Leonard Floyd, Jordan Poyer, Micah Hype, and Gabe Davis. After a year of retooling, the Rams’ window to win the Super Bowl has reopened, while Buffalo’s seems to be closing.
Being “fiscally responsible” is meaningless if your group is incapable of overcoming obstacles. The Bills may have thrown away their greatest opportunity to win a ring, but the Rams always seem to find a way.
