3 players Bills must re-sign this offseason after flaming out of playoffs

Here comes another turning point in the Buffalo Bills’ never-ending chase. The Bills have lived on the edge of contention for so long that “another playoff exit” almost feels routine. 2025, though, was different. This wasn’t just a loss but a reckoning. A Divisional Round flameout, a coaching dismissal, and a philosophical pivot all arrived at once. These have forced Buffalo to admit that continuity still matters, even during change.

As the franchise hands the keys to Joe Brady and prepares for a new stadium era, the most important decisions won’t come in splashy free-agent pursuits. They’ll come from choosing which veterans are essential to keeping Josh Allen’s championship window alive.

Season recap

Statistically, the 2025 Bills were dominant. They finished 12-5, powered by a rushing renaissance that reshaped the offense’s identity. James Cook’s historic 1,621-yard season made Buffalo the league’s most productive ground attack. That eased pressure on Allen while adding a physical edge the team had lacked in recent years.

Despite finishing second in the AFC East behind New England, Buffalo entered the playoffs confident and battle-tested. Their 27-24 Wild Card win over Jacksonville was marked by resilience and poise. It delivered the franchise’s first road playoff victory since 1992 and felt like the prelude to something bigger.

Endings and seismic shifts

Then came Denver. A 33-30 overtime loss in the Divisional Round reopened old wounds. Five turnovers undermined an otherwise strong performance. The defense bent at the worst moments. The offense couldn’t protect the ball when it mattered most.

The fallout was swift. Erstwhile head coach Sean McDermott was dismissed just two days later. That ended a nine-year run defined by consistency but haunted by postseason frustration. Brady’s promotion signaled a new direction guided by more aggression, more speed, and fewer compromises.

Offseason needs

The Bills enter 2026 with needs everywhere. Allen needs a true No. 1 receiver. That was something glaringly absent in the Denver loss. The interior offensive line faces instability with multiple starters hitting free agency. That threatens the very run game that carried the offense.

Defensively, the secondary and linebacker corps are both dangerously thin. At the same time, the interior defensive line lacks a true anchor. Buffalo can’t fix everything at once, though. This is why retaining the right veterans is essential. These three players, in particular, stabilize multiple pressure points at once.

EDGE Joey Bosa

Key stats: 15 starts, 5.0 sacks, franchise-record 5 forced fumbles

The Joey Bosa gamble worked in Buffalo. Sure, his box-score sack numbers were modest. Still, his impact was undeniable. Bosa consistently forced hurried throws and elevated the entire defensive front during the first half of the season. Even as a late-season hamstring injury slowed him, Bosa remained one of Buffalo’s highest-graded edge defenders by PFF.

Brady’s vision demands a defense that can pressure quarterbacks without constant blitzing. Greg Rousseau needs a reliable counterpart. Bosa remains the best available answer. Letting him walk would create an immediate pass-rush void that Buffalo simply doesn’t have the resources to fill elsewhere.

CB Tre’Davious White

Key stats: 17 games played, 3 interceptions, 9 passes defensed

Tre’Davious White’s return wasn’t perfect, but it was invaluable. After years of injury setbacks, White played a full season. That provided stability to a battered secondary. Yes, his late penalty against Denver drew criticism. That said, it shouldn’t overshadow the reality that Buffalo’s pass defense was markedly worse without him on the field. White also served as the emotional anchor for a defense undergoing constant turnover.

That kind of leadership matters more than ever in Buffalo. With a coaching change and young defensive backs still developing, White’s presence ensures continuity, accountability, and cultural stability. Replacing his experience would require multiple moves that may not even replicate his influence.

WR Brandin Cooks

Key stats: 62 receptions, 840 yards, 6 touchdowns; 19.3 yards per catch in Wild Card win

Brandin Cooks quietly became one of Buffalo’s most important offensive pieces after arriving midseason. His speed changed how defenses played the Bills. He stretched coverage vertically and created space underneath for Dalton Kincaid and the run game. In the Wild Card win over Jacksonville, Cooks reminded everyone he still has game-breaking juice, too.

Brady’s offense thrives on vertical threats. Cooks fits seamlessly into that blueprint. With Buffalo likely using premium draft capital on defense, re-signing Cooks prevents the offense from regressing while Allen adjusts to a new system and new leadership.

Keeping the window open

Buffalo enters a new era, but it doesn’t need to tear everything down. The Bills need to choose wisely. Re-signing Joey Bosa, Tre’Davious White, and Brandin Cooks preserves stability at edge rusher, cornerback, and wide receiver. Those are three positions that would otherwise become immediate liabilities.

In a season defined by change, these decisions aren’t about nostalgia but survival. The Bills’ championship window is still open. Of course, that’s only if they protect the pieces that keep it from slamming shut.

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