Bills' Rousseau: X-Factor in AFC East?

The Buffalo Bills are approaching a critical season as they look to once again budge into the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals' stranglehold on the conference.

The Chiefs and Bengals are slated to meet in the AFC Championship for a third consecutive year, but the Bills are the team most likely to disrupt that pattern.

If the Bills are going to find their way into the late January part of the calendar, defensive end Gregory Rousseau is going to be a reason why.

"If Rousseau can become a Pro Bowl-caliber pass-rusher—ideally opposite a healthy Miller—then Buffalo will have a realistic shot at challenging Kansas City and Cincinnati in the AFC," Bleacher Report writes.

A 2021 first-round pick, Rousseau had a decent rookie season with 50 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks. He improved substantially in 2022, doubling his sack total to tie for the team lead with future Hall-of-Famer Von Miller. If his upward trajectory continues, Rousseau could be in for a special season in 2023.

Playing alongside Miller and new signee Leonard Floyd should help Rousseau and the rest of the Bills' pass rush, but it also means there are more players competing for snaps. Rousseau should have no issue getting his fair share, but it's something to consider.

If Rousseau does have a career year, then he will likely be in line for a huge extension next offseason. With the Bills already over the projected 2024 salary cap, that extension could be difficult to work into the books.