Contracts Bills Must Consider Cutting in 2024 Offseason

The Buffalo Bills ended a turbulent season with another bitter loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round. Now they'll begin the hard work of rebuilding the roster to make another postseason run next season.

That challenge will get a little more difficult in 2024. The deeper they get into the Josh Allen contract, the harder it will be to surround him with talent. While a restructure is still possible, he is set to account for a $47.1 million cap hit.

They will have to do something with several contracts because they are set to start the offseason $51.1 million over the cap, per Spotrac.

That's going to lead to plenty of difficult conversations and decisions as they work over the next few months to get under the cap while still trying to be a contender next season.

Here's a look at three players they will need to consider cutting either based on their performance or the potential cap savings.

C Mitch Morse

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 07: Buffalo Bills center Mitch Morse (60) protects the pocket during the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Parting ways with Mitch Morse would be a difficult decision. He's been a starter with the team for five years and it's one of the quickest ways they can free up a good chunk of cap space.

Morse represents an $11.5 million cap hit on the books right now. It's the fifth-highest cap hit for a center in the league right now. He has not been a liability on the offensive line, but he also hasn't been elite.

The 31-year-old's 63.7 grade from PFF ranked 20th among 36 qualifying centers. He has always been solid in pass protection and only gave up one sack this season, but his run blocking is suspect.

The Bills had 430 rushing attempts in 2022 and bumped that number up to 512 in 2023. Their move to a more balanced offensive approach is only going to continue as Josh Allen ages.

Moving on from Morse and finding a more physical run-game-oriented center on a rookie contract in this year's draft is a move that would help them save money while potentially getting better in an area of their offense.

RB Nyheim Hines

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Nyheim Hines

It's an unfortunate reality that life comes at you fast in the NFL.

Nyheim Hines was forced to sit out the entire 2023 campaign due to a jetskiing accident that resulted in a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee.

The Bills traded for Hines in 2022, but he didn't make much an impact in their backfield in the nine games he played. He only had six carries and five receptions, however, he was an impact player as a kick returner.

The question is how much that impact is worth and will he have the same explosivness as a 27-year-old back coming off of that kind of injury. And are the Bills willing to take a $5.5 million cap hit to find out?

If the answer is no, then cutting him would clear $5 million in cap space.

James Cook enjoyed a breakout season that might have answered the question for them. He posted his first 1,000-yard rushing season but was also a good receiving option out of the backfield with 445 yards on 44 catches.

At best, Hines is going to be a kick returner with a partial receiving back role. That probably doesn't justify his current price tag for a franchise with other pressing needs.

WR Deonte Harty

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 07: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Deonte Harty (11) runs after a catch during the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, January 7, 2024 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Again, the Bills are in line for some tough decisions. Harty electrified the Bills fan base with his 96-yard punt return touchdown in the final regular season game against the Miami Dolphins, but that might wind up being the final lasting memory for him in Orchard Park.

The Bills signed Harty to a two-year, $9.5 million contract in free agency last offseason. In addition to his returning skills, he showed some potential as a receiver with 570 yards in 2021 with the New Orleans Saints.

Unfortunately, he didn't showcase those receiving skills very often with the Bills. He had just 15 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown. Khalil Shakir has established himself as a much better option in the slot.

If the Bills had the luxury of cap space it would be worth seeing if they could find ways to incorporate Harty into the offense. He had good moments as a return man, but they don't really have the cap space to keep Harty on board with his current cap hit.

The Bills would be better off cutting Harty and filling more important needs before deciding on a kick and punt returner.