The Buffalo Bills, who have dismissed a number of veterans and restructured multiple contracts, are now engaged in free agency. To be cap-compliant, general manager of the Buffalo Bills Brandon Beane still needs to complete some tasks.
The Bills are about $2.2 million over the $255.4 million cap maximum, per OvertheCap.com. Analysts took a second look after a recent story connected the Bills to former 49ers star Arik Armstead.
“Keep an eye on Buffalo as a possible landing spot,” The Athletic’s Matt Barrows wrote on X following the Niners’ formal release of Armstead on Wednesday, March 13.
“I mean, he’s an F’ing monster, I just didn’t think we could afford him (still really don’t),” wrote Cover 1 presenter Greg Tompsett on social media.
Given the Bills’ present financial situation, it’s difficult to predict what type of aggressive offer they might make. With one year remaining on his five-year, $85 million contract, the former first-round selection from the 2015 NFL draft was still active in 2020. But the only reason Armstead, the player with the longest contract in San Francisco, is available is because he declined a wage reduction.
“The 49ers approached Arik Armstead about accepting a significant pay cut from his scheduled salary of $17.41 million,” wrote Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area on March 10. The 49ers are scheduled to release him and he will become a free agent because he declined.
The 49ers avoid $10.31 million in dead money while saving $18 million in cap space for 2024 with a post-June 1 release. Regarding the few vacant years still on Armstead’s deal, Niners Nation stated that “the team will eat $15.4 million over the next three years.” They will, however, save about $26 million in cap space.
Bills News: It’s Concerning About Arik Armstead’s Injury History
Jordan Schulz
@Schultz_Report Jordan Schultz ·
Adhere to @BleacherReport’s sources: Star defensive lineman Arik Armstead of the #49ers has chosen to become a free agent and will be cut.
Armstead stands fourth among all active players in postseason sacks after finishing the Super Bowl with six tackles and one sack.
His eight postseason sacks are second best.
10:13 p.m. · March 10, 2024 3084 Response
If the Bills were to sign the 6-foot-7, 290-pound interior lineman, it would be a major splash. Beane is probably drawn to Armstead’s six tackles and one sack from the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. Last season, he totaled 27 tackles, 13 quarterback hits, and 5 sacks in 12 regular season games.
“It’s crazy to think about Arik Armstead playing in a rotation with Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones,” wrote Cover 1 anchor Anthony Prohaska on social media. And we are aware of how much Sean McDermott and Beane, the head coach of the Bills, value developing via the D-Line.
But given the 30-year-old’s history of injuries, Beane could be reluctant to bank the bank for him. In the previous two seasons, he has missed thirteen games. Plantar fasciitis and a foot fracture caused him to miss many games in 2022, according to SI. The former Oregon star was again dogged by foot issues this season.
But according to Diana Russini of The Athletic, a number of teams, including the Tennessee Titans, are interested in signing Armstead. Barrows mentioned that the Los Angeles Chargers might potentially be involved.
Next Season, the Bills Defense Will See a Dramatic Change
Matthew Bové
Matthew Bové · Follow @Matt_Bove
It was DaQuan Jones’s choice.
However, he desired to be in Buffalo.
@WKBW #BillsMafia
12 Mar 2024, 5:55 p.m., 468 Reply
Following the release of Jordan Poyer, Siran Neal, and Tre’Davious White, the Bills bid farewell to Leonard Floyd and Dane Jackson.
Regarding All-Pro safety Micah Hyde, who is considering retirement, the jury is still out. Nevertheless, the Bills decide to re-sign defensive lineman DaQuan Jones and defensive end A.J. Epenesa.
“Jones’ return also brings a veteran presence to a defensive front that stands to lose several players to free agency, including Linval Joseph and Tim Settle, and with Jordan Phillips considering retirement,” writes Brian Campbell of Spectrum News 1.
