Buffalo Bills Continue All-In Push, Signing Von Miller, O.J. Howard

The Buffalo Bills continue their all-in approach as the AFC gets more firepower, signing Von Miller and O.J. Howard.

In an AFC that’s got firepower at every turn, it’s important to stay in the race. The west has been going bonkers recently, with the Chargers adding Khalil Mack and J.C. Jackson, the Broncos trading for Russell Wilson, and the Raiders getting Chandler Jones. Baltimore has also made moves, signing Marcus Williams and Za’Darius Smith to boost the defense.

The Buffalo Bills joined in on the fun, adding to their pass rush cupboard by signing superstar Von Miller. Miller, a two-time Super Bowl champion, signed a 6-year, $120 million deal. It sounds like it’s really a two-year deal for $32 million and then a “we’ll see” after that, but it’s a fabulous addition to a unit that’s got potential in Gregory Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, and Carlos Basham. The performance Miller put on in the postseason makes it worth it if he can bring that same magic come January for Buffalo.

If that wasn’t enough, Buffalo also added a weapon in the passing game in O.J. Howard to a one-year deal. Howard, a former first round selection by the Buccaneers, never really lived up to his potential in the passing game, and injuries made things tougher on him. He’s still a great blocker that complements Dawson Knox and is still a threat up the seam and in the red zone. The prove-it contract could help him earn a big deal somewhere in 2023.

It’s clear that staying pat won’t work in the AFC at this point, and with cornerstones in place for the Bills, they have that option to sign some premier players in free agency, especially in a two-year window before Josh Allen’s cap number raises significantly.

We’ll see if things work out, but the process is a good one here. You have to swing and take chances when you can, especially if you want to win in a crowded AFC, which won’t be an easy task.