In the last 12 hours, Brandon Beane addressed the defensive line for the first time in the NFL Free Agency period. First, they made a huge splash: The Bills signed Joey Bosa to a one-year contract worth $12.6 million, with a potential up-to-$15 million bonus. This morning, Beane added again, signing Larry Ogunjobi to a 1 year, $8 million deal, up to $10 million. Let’s talk about Bosa first.
Joey Bosa
Joey Bosa came into the NFL with a ton of fanfare. He was the number three overall pick out of Ohio State and was regarded as one of the best pass rushers they had ever seen. He was part of an incredible run of pass rushers there, including his brother and Chase Young.
He came into the league and had an immediate impact. In his first year, he recorded 10.5 sacks. In his second year, he had 12.5 sacks. He dealt with some injuries in his third year but bounced back in his fourth year with 11.5 sacks. In 2021, he posted another 10.5-sack season, but since then, he’s dealt with a lot of injury issues. He tore his groin in 2022, and in 2023, he dealt with a stress sprain in his foot, an injury he’s now had twice.
My biggest concern with Bosa’s time with the Bills is his foot injuries. You hate to see that, especially in a lineman. A big guy carrying a lot of weight, dealing with foot and leg issues, plus soft tissue problems, is a huge red flag.
Last season, with Jim Harbaugh in charge, Bosa was used in a similar role to how Von Miller was used. His snap count wasn’t that high. By the end of the year, the highest snap count he had in a game was against Denver in that Thursday night classic (34-27), where he played 78% of the snaps. In a game they really needed him, he came out and balled. . In the playoff game against Houston, he played 63% of the snaps. They got blown out in that game, so maybe he would’ve played more if it had been close late, but clearly, he’s a guy they have to manage.
If the Bills can handle his injury history and, for some reason, feel they can get better durability from Bosa and Palmer, it’s a major win. I was listening to WGR this morning, and they had someone who covers the Chargers who mentioned Palmer has dealt with soft tissue injuries alongside Bosa; maybe it’s an issue with the Chargers’ training staff.
The Bills are banking on their strength and conditioning staff to keep Bosa healthy and effective for the end of the year. How do I feel about this? I like the move. It’s a high-reward, low-risk signing. Worst-case scenario, Bosa is hurt and doesn’t produce, and the D-line has similar issues off the edge as last year. Best-case scenario, Bosa plays on a snap count of around 50%, much like Von did last year, and is able to have an impact. Maybe Rousseau and Oliver get better, and Bosa can be the closer Von Miller never got the chance to be.
From Bosa’s perspective, this is a prove-it deal. He’ll only be 30 next year when he hits free agency again, and I’m sure he wants another big contract. D-linemen have been getting crazy money—his teammate Khalil Mack got more than him, and he’s a couple of years older. If Bosa can prove he’s durable and still effective, he’s going to get paid big next offseason—maybe even by the Bills.
I like it. High reward, low risk. Beane has done a great job addressing holes in free agency so far.
Larry Ogunjobi
Larry Ogunjobi is a solid pickup for the Bills. He’s a guy I wanted them to target—I’m a big fan of him. I love his motor. Pittsburgh fans loved him, teammates loved him, and he’s a locker-room guy. That’s been a theme with the Bills’ signings so far—at least with him and Hoyt—bringing in guys with a good locker-room presence.
He started 12 games last year and only had 1.5 sacks. If you look at his PFF grades, they’re not great, but he’s a depth-rotational piece. If he’s taking over the Austin Johnson/Jordan Phillips role from last year, I think it’s a marginal improvement.
The biggest thing Beane has done in the first couple of days of free agency is made improvements in areas of need. Are they big splashes? No. But the team is in a better position, with better depth, at key spots. They’ve addressed wide receiver, edge rusher, and now the interior D-line. They still need to make more moves—whether in the draft or further in free agency—especially at cornerback, which is the biggest hole on the roster.
So far, through the first 2.5 days of free agency, I’d say Beane has done a fantastic job utilizing the Bills’ resources to keep their star players on team-friendly contracts while filling key needs heading into the draft. This is the most important draft the Bills have had since Josh Allen.
Damar Hamlin
As I was drafting this blog, the Bills announced a 1-year deal for Hamlin. Hamlin will compete with Bishop again for the starting role, but you have to imagine the Bills want Bishop to win the job. Hamlin will provide depth to the Safety room, a guy who can step in, start if needed and continue contributing to Special Teams. A fan favorite returning never hurts either.
And ICYMI, last night’s Pay The Bills Podcast is live on all platforms, but went live BEFORE the Bosa signing.