The Buffalo Bills have made significant investments in their pass rush in recent years, drafting Gregory Rousseau and Boogie Basham with high picks and acquiring veteran Von Miller in a major free agency deal.
Despite these efforts, the results have not met expectations, prompting Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport to propose a “shocking” trade that could change the tide. Davenport suggested that the Bills could trade for edge rusher Joey Bosa in exchange for a third-round pick in 2025. This move aims to address a major defensive weakness and potentially bolster their Super Bowl aspirations.
Davenport highlighted that the Bills’ grip on the AFC East is weakening with the rise of the Miami Dolphins, and after losing top pass rusher Leonard Floyd. He noted, “Much has been made of the team’s situation at wide receiver after the departure of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. But the Bills have a potential weakness on defense as well.” Last season, only one Bills player surpassed 10 sacks, and their projected edge rushers combined for just 11.5 sacks.
To compete in a tough conference against top quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow, Davenport argued that trading for Bosa could provide a significant boost. Bosa, a four-time Pro Bowler with a $135 million contract, appears to have recovered from a foot injury that plagued his 2023 season.
Davenport acknowledged that acquiring Bosa’s contract would require careful financial management by Bills GM Brandon Beane. However, he believes it’s a calculated risk that could pay off, given Bosa’s previous Pro Bowl caliber performances from 2019 to 2021.
Meanwhile, the Bills are hopeful for a bounce-back season from Von Miller, despite a challenging 2023 season following a torn ACL. Miller has shown promising signs of recovery in recent practices, demonstrating renewed speed, burst, and edge bending abilities without a knee brace.
The Bills have the draft capital necessary to pursue Bosa, having acquired additional picks through trades and draft maneuvering. They could also explore internal options to bolster their pass rush.
In conclusion, the proposed trade for Joey Bosa represents a bold move by the Bills to strengthen their defense and contend for a championship. It remains to be seen if the Bills will make the trade, but the potential acquisition of Bosa could significantly impact their upcoming season.
