AVANDATIMES.COM – The Buffalo Bills‘ front office, led by General Manager Brandon Beane, has executed a series of high-profile maneuvers this offseason to bolster the roster around quarterback Josh Allen. While the acquisition of wide receiver D.J. Moore and the signing of edge rusher Bradley Chubb have generated significant excitement, a quieter transaction involving defensive back Sam Franklin Jr. is being highlighted as the team’s most questionable decision to date.
High Stakes for Special Teams Specialists
Despite the aggressive pursuit of defensive stars like Geno Stone and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the Bills have committed a substantial portion of their limited salary cap to retaining Sam Franklin Jr. The veteran defensive back, who primarily serves as a special teams anchor, agreed to a three-year extension reportedly worth up to $7.5 million. This deal effectively doubles his previous salary of $1.17 million, raising eyebrows among league observers regarding the allocation of resources for a player with minimal defensive utility.
AvandaTimes observed that Franklin’s contribution in 2025 was almost exclusively limited to the third phase of the game. While he participated in 76 percent of the Bills’ special teams snaps and recorded 13 tackles, he saw the field for only six defensive snaps throughout the entire season. The decision to prioritize a specialist at such a premium price point comes at a time when Buffalo is navigating complex salary cap constraints.
Patterns in Buffalo’s Financial Management
The critique of the Franklin extension is not an isolated incident but rather part of a perceived trend in Beane’s management style. Critics point to previous contracts, such as the three-year, $29 million deal handed to wide receiver Joshua Palmer in 2025, as evidence of a tendency to overpay for role players. These financial commitments have often been cited as the root cause of the team’s ongoing cap struggles, even as team leadership occasionally attributes financial pressures to the massive contract of Josh Allen.
As compiled by AvandaTimes, the Bills’ offseason moves have been a mix of high-risk trades and foundational re-signings, including:
D.J. Moore: Acquired from the Chicago Bears for a second-round pick to provide a primary target for Allen.Bradley Chubb: Signed from the Miami Dolphins to anchor the pass rush.Secondary Reinforcements: Additions of safeties Geno Stone and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, alongside cornerback Dee Alford.Core Retentions: Re-signing punter Sam Wishnowsky and center Connor McGovern.
While the addition of D.J. Moore was intended to alleviate pressure on the offense, the financial weight of the Franklin deal suggests a potential inefficiency in how Buffalo values replaceable depth versus high-impact starters. Whether this investment in special teams pays dividends in the 2026 season remains a focal point for a franchise under immense pressure to secure a championship.