Buffalo Bills president of football operations and general manager Brandon Beane provided updates on the team’s offseason strategy during media appearances at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
Beane discussed his approach to evaluating draft prospects, emphasizing the value of multiple interactions with players at events such as the combine, Senior Bowl, official visits, and Pro Days. “Sometimes that’s just breaking bread, sometimes it’s on the whiteboard, sometimes it’s watching plays and you just pick up so many things,” Beane said about meeting prospects.
He noted that while he does not see the 2026 draft class as particularly strong at the top compared to what he expects from 2027, there is still valuable depth throughout. “I definitely think there will be players day two and day three that can help us in various roles, whether it’s compet[ing] for a start [or] a really good backup,” Beane said. “… We’ll find good players with that first round pick as well. You just don’t know if you’re technically going to be selecting out of your first round. It’s early to know that.”
Regarding draft strategy, Beane highlighted a willingness to trade picks for targeted players when necessary but acknowledged the importance of restraint. “I try to put people around me to strap me down to the desk and if they think I’m getting out of line, to at least grab me before I do it and say, ‘Are you sure about this?'”
The Bills are working to comply with a projected salary cap range between $301.2 million and $305.7 million per team ahead of the new league year starting March 11. Buffalo recently restructured right tackle Spencer Brown’s contract, which freed up approximately $10 million in cap space.
All options remain under consideration for additional moves—including restructures, releases, extensions or trades—as Beane explained: “We’re looking at every single avenue here… We have a new staff, so we’re trying to make sure we’re thinking of everything and not just rushing to decisions.”
One decision pending is tight end Dawson Knox’s future with the team due to his current contract’s cap hit. “We’d be crazy not to want a Dawson Knox back. We know we have to make it work for him and work for us,” Beane said. “So it’s TBD at this point, like it is with some other players too.”
The status of free agents David Edwards (left guard) and Connor McGovern (center) was also addressed by Beane: “A credit to everyone involved for how those two guys panned out for us the last three seasons… Would we love to have them both back? Yes.” However, he acknowledged business realities may lead them elsewhere: “If they go maximize their dollars and we can’t afford it … our job is to have the next Conor McGovern’s and David Edwards’ and continually do that.”
With new head coach Joe Brady leading changes among coaching staff members at One Bills Drive, Beane described ongoing efforts toward alignment within football operations: “We’ve got a new team that we have to build … Obviously financial constraints can get in the way… It’s just trying to get us all on the same page – the collective – and start over.”
Discussions are underway about player fit within new schemes—for example defensive end Greg Rousseau’s versatility under defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard—and adjustments such as possible shifts in nickel cornerback Taron Johnson’s role depending on defensive personnel choices.
Beane confirmed Buffalo will exercise its fifth-year option on tight end Dalton Kincaid: “At the right time we’ll knock that out at some point this spring.” He praised Kincaid’s contributions but stressed health will be key moving forward: “Our number one thing with Dalton is to see if we can get him in a healthier fashion this year…”
Other injured players including kicker Tyler Bass, defensive ends Landon Jackson and Michael Hoecht are progressing through rehab programs at team facilities.
While change accompanies Brady’s arrival as head coach after seven consecutive playoff seasons for Buffalo, both he and Beane underscored that 2026 is not considered a full rebuild given returning roster talent.
Brady outlined his perspective: “There’s been a foundation that’s been set here… but this isn’t just ‘Hey Joe Brady’s in and everything’s just business as usual.’ And so it’s important that everybody in the organization knows it because if we continue to speak about how things used to be then we’ll never continue to go forward…”
Beane added: “I think Joe just wants to make sure the guys walk in and feel like ‘Okay there has been a change here…’ Not really worried about what expectations are; just this is year one of a new program.”
