Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane spoke to the media at the Combine on Tuesday, as the NFL world descended on Indianapolis to evaluate the top prospects ahead of the draft.
Beane spoke with reporters on how the Bills will handle free agency and the draft as they pursue Buffalo’s first Super Bowl.
The NFL revealed Monday that the 2024 salary cap would climb by more than $30 million, which is good news for Beane, who has stated that he is ready to restructure existing contracts in order to remain cap compliant and open up space to sign draft picks and free agents.
Beane and his staff are already taking steps to do so, restructuring left guard Connor McGovern’s deal to free approximately $3.74 million in cap space, according to recent media reports.
“Every dollar you get helps you,” Beane explained. “Whether it’s extensions, contract modifications, or restructuring – which is simply transferring some money down. … We were conservatively budgeting for a number in the 40s, so getting to $255 (million) made me happy.”
With quarterback Josh Allen’s salary hit expected to more than double, the Bills will need to get creative in structuring the rest of their roster around their franchise player.
Beane emphasized the importance of securing franchise players as quarterbacks continue to sign record-breaking contracts. “We may have to roll out some young players earlier than we have before and that’s on me to find players who can handle that kind of responsibility early,” he stated.
“The quarterback (salary) numbers have jumped more drastically than the cap has, which really makes it hard because you’re trying to balance,” Beane told the media. “We feel fortunate to have Josh but that’s how you’re building you’re whole team around that contract and you’re trying to massage it so that’ll continue to be something we have to look at.”
