Business is about to get more expensive for the Buffalo Bills.
A salary cap crunch created by the ballooning cap hit of quarterback Josh Allen is among chief concerns entering the offseason. Allen and the Bills lost in the divisional playoff round for the third consecutive season and bowed out without reaching the Super Bowl for the fifth straight year.
"Still doesn't feel real that we're not practicing today," Allen said Monday when asked how he'll spend his offseason.
The Kansas City Chiefs eliminated the Bills from the playoffs in a 27-24 dogfight in Buffalo on Sunday.
Allen finished a two-game postseason run this month with four touchdown passes and three TD runs. A potential game-tying field goal by Tyler Bass sailed wide right, but Allen said Monday the collective missed opportunities in all phases add up to his team heading home while Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs get ready for another AFC title game.
"I believe in what we have going on here and the people in charge," Allen said, adding he fully embraces bringing back offensive coordinator Joe Brady. "All signs are pointing up with this team."
Allen said he's witnessed growth from head coach Sean McDermott and wants to continue playing for him.
"Losing is never fun. The reason why you play this game is you don't want to feel this way. When you feel this way, it makes winning that much more special. We're not going to run from this. We're going to take it on the chin," Allen said. "Continue to learn. Get better. ... We're just like (fans), we want to win. We're going to keep fighting and keep working as hard as we can until we are that one team. Long road ahead, long offseason."
The cost is going up for Allen in particular. His cap figure this season was $18.6 million, but leaps to $47.1 million in 2024. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who didn't speak with the media following the loss, brings a cap charge of nearly $28 million. But the Bills could save in the neighborhood of $20 million by trading Diggs after June 1.
"This feeling right here is what you've got to remember going forward," tight end Dawson Knox said. "We've won the division four years in a row. We've made the playoffs five years in a row. But this feels nowhere near satisfying. ... This feeling of coming up short, is important to just marinate and motivate you for next year."
As the cap stands, Buffalo projects to be at least $42 million over the 2024 threshold. Unrestricted free agency awaits key contributors with expiring deals, including defensive tackle Ed Oliver, defensive end Leonard Floyd, safety Micah Hyde and cornerback Rasul Douglas, a trade deadline acquisition from the Green Bay Packers.
More must-reads: