The Bills have several key players they must re-sign in NFL free agency this offseason but they might not be the big names you think.

Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford was placed in concussion protocol, putting the team at risk of losing a top defensive player.

The Bills weren't expected to do much this season, but by the playoffs, looked like they could get over the hump.

Kaiir Elam’s struggles following Christian Benford exiting the game with a concussion was just one example of how Buffalo’s corner play needs to improve in 2025

The Bills cannot get by the Chiefs in the playoffs. It happened again Sunday in a 32-29 loss to Kansas City in the AFC Championship game. The last three defeats have been by a grand total of nine points -- all separate three-point losses.

This season was basically Year 1 of Act 2 of Brandon Beane-Sean McDermott, and it was a success, even if the final game was not. But entering Year 2 of Act 2, it should be OK to have Super Bowl-or-bust aspirations,

Jones has guaranteed money remaining in 2025 thanks to the extension he signed last March, but designating him as a post-June 1 release can still save the Bills some $5.5 million against the cap. That's not nothing considering how much financial restructuring Buffalo has ahead of it this offseason.

It's Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC championship. Can Josh Allen and James Cook lead the Bills to win vs Patrick Mahomes and company?

The Bills’ last four top draft picks were underwhelming in the AFC title game. Greg Rousseau, Kaiir Elam, Dalton Kincaid, and Keon Coleman. These are players with plenty of talent, but in Sunday’s loss, they weren’t up to par with what teams typically want to see in their top draft investments.

Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) dives for a touchdown against Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam (5) / Denny Medley-Imagn Images The ...

Kaiir Elam is his replacement ... the Bills have the lead. Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford was hurt on a helmet-to-helmet collision with a secondary teammate, safety Damar Hamlin ...

There are a lot of things that could have went smoother for the Buffalo Bills in the AFC championship ... 2025 Benford’s absence meant Kaiir Elam saw his most extended action this postseason.