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These playoffs were supposed to be different for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
With Patrick Mahomes and other elite quarterbacks missing the playoffs altogether, Allen's path to the Super Bowl was expected to be clearer than any other season, even after falling short in the AFC East.
Instead, the Bills' season ended in heartbreak again. Buffalo committed five turnovers against the Denver Broncos, and they were the difference in a narrow 33-30 overtime loss.
Could changes be on the horizon for the Bills? Here's a look at what the offseason could bring.
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What's next for the Bills?
The Bills know their Super Bowl window is open as long as Allen is their quarterback, but a Super Bowl appearance has yet to materialize. Buffalo knows playoff heartbreak well, and in the past, the outcome hasn’t been wholesale changes or a total retool.
Considering how narrow the margin was between the AFC’s top teams this season, it’s hard to imagine any kind of teardown is coming for the Bills. The best path is likely to stay the course with their biggest pieces while fine-tuning the rest of the roster to make the most of their window.
While the Bills have limited cap space to work with and don’t have an overwhelming number of key free agents, they are going to have to get creative to make sure the right wide receivers are surrounding Allen. The rushing attack was unquestionably good enough in 2025, but the Bills cannot put the season in the hands of late-November addition Brandin Cooks again. Whether that means drafting one or two complementary receivers, as the Texans did in 2025, or signing a sure-handed veteran, Allen needs pass catchers he can trust outside of his tight ends.
Totally solving Allen’s occasional turnover issues might not be possible, but giving him confidence that he doesn’t have to be Superman could allow him to be more at ease and take what defenses give him.
The Bills could also look to shore up their run defense, which ranked 30th in the NFL by allowing 5.1 yards per carry. The return of Ed Oliver is a major positive after he missed most of 2025, but the linebacker corps could be reshaped with Matt Milano ticketed for free agency.
Buffalo will have to address two starting spots on its offensive line, as guard David Edwards and center Connor McGovern will be free agents in March.
Here’s what you need to know about more serious potential changes.
MORE: How Josh Allen's unusual fumble changed game vs. Broncos
Will the Bills fire Sean McDermott?
Before the final weekend of the regular season, ESPN's Adam Schefter mentioned McDermott's name as one to watch if the Bills had a quick exit in the playoffs.
"This name keeps coming up in the event that Buffalo struggles and goes one-and-done in the playoffs," Schefter said, calling it a "situation to watch" in the event of an early loss.
The Bills didn't go one-and-done, advancing past the wild-card round, and an overtime loss to the No. 1 seed on the road is about as narrow of a margin as it gets. Will that be enough for McDermott to earn a 10th season in Buffalo?
It's hard to imagine the Bills moving on from McDermott after he went 98-50 in nine seasons and won 12 games in 2025, but after the chaos of this coaching cycle and the mounting desperation to win a championship with Allen, anything could be on the table.
MORE: How Ja'Quan McMillian stole ball from Brandin Cooks for massive INT
Bills WR options
The Bills might have to get creative financially depending on which wide receiver they add this offseason, but here are some options:
Brian Thomas Jr.
Thomas just doesn't seem to be the right fit for the new regime in Jacksonville, and that could squeeze him out despite such a terrific rookie campaign. The Jaguars just signed Jakobi Meyers to a lucrative extension, saw Parker Washington break out in 2025 and have Travis Hunter returning next season. Thomas would come fairly cheap for the Bills from a salary standpoint, and Buffalo should be willing to sacrifice some draft capital to get him.
Jaylen Waddle
The Bills were reportedly at the center of the Jaylen Waddle trade talks ahead of the deadline, only missing out because they resisted giving up a first-round pick. Whether new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan would be willing to trade Waddle is the burning question, but Buffalo couldn't be blamed for closing the deal this time around if Miami puts him on the trade block.
Deebo Samuel
Samuel is headed for free agency after one season with the Washington Commanders. While he isn't the No. 1 receiver he looked like he could be early in his career, Samuel is a gadget-type of player who could give the Bills a more dynamic version of Curtis Samuel in an offense that won't ask any particular receiver to shoulder too much of a load.
Rashid Shaheed
Speaking of gadget-type players, Rashid Shaheed is coming off a solid year between the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks and has turned into a well-rounded player after spending his early years as a pure deep threat. If the Bills are willing to meet Shaheed's asking price, the fit could make plenty of sense.
MORE: How turnovers doomed Buffalo in playoff loss to Denver
Bills free agents
Here are the Bills' notable free agents in 2026:
- LB Matt Milano
- OG David Edwards
- EDGE Joey Bosa
- DT DaQuan Jones
- EDGE A.J. Epenesa
- CB Tre'Davious White
- C Connor McGovern
- S Damar Hamlin
- QB Mitchell Trubisky
- LB Shaq Thompson
- K Matt Prater
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