With the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in full swing and free agency quickly approaching, the Buffalo Bills are getting ready to make key moves trying to shape their roster for a Super Bowl run. They’ve been close, just not quite good enough, and the right moves this offseason might be the necessary boost to get them over the hump.

I see three major decisions as the keys that could determine the team’s future, especially short-term. General manager Brandon Beane getting it right can be the difference between Buffalo winning a Super Bowl in the next three years or not.

So, without further ado, here are those three major decisions and what I would do if in Beane’s shoes.

Decision 1: Trade or no for a star edge rusher?

That’s the biggest decision Beane has on his hands. Buffalo’s defense was an opportunistic unit in 2024, capable of creating turnovers and giving their high-powered offense more opportunities to score. That was true at least until the AFC Championship game, when they had no answers for a struggling (until that point and right after it) Kansas City Chiefs offense.

The Bills’ defense has shown over the years that it can be good, even very good, but the lack of star power has hindered the group — especially in the biggest games — when needing someone to take over and make those game-deciding plays to secure the win. Enter the opportunity of adding a star edge this offseason.

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Myles Garrett, arguably the best defensive player in football, still in his prime, has requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns. There have also been rumors about Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys becoming available, and with the Las Vegas Raiders yet again attempting to rebuild, Maxx Crosby could become available within the trade market.

Those are the options we know right now — with free agency and the draft approaching, more options could arise. Those players are in different situations with their franchises and also in different stages in their careers.

Garrett seems determined to join a contender and wants to win over everything else. Parsons is younger and might value getting paid (very well paid, by the way) in the first place. Crosby is coming off injury and there should be some concerns about it, especially when the Bills just saw firsthand what happened with Von Miller.

The Bills can also go after NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals via free agency, or even settle for a player such as Dante Fowler Jr. with the Washington Commanders and add more in the draft. They can still keep Von Miller with another reworked deal and bank on Greg Rousseau (soon to be paid himself) to take the next step and become their star rusher. There are several routes to go and all come with risks and rewards.

My decision: Trade for Myles Garrett.

It’s not that simple: The price certainly will be steep, but that’s an opportunity that can’t be wasted. Brandon Beane must be all over the Browns to try and make this trade happen.

Garrett is 29, one year older than Josh Allen, and that’s exactly the type of player he can be for Buffalo’s defense. Putting together arguably the two best players in the league on their respective sides of the ball is a no-brainer, especially when head coach Sean McDermott has proved he can field very competent teams without having the biggest names on his roster.

Best case? With Allen leading the offense and Garrett doing the same for the defense, the Bills should be ready to take the next step and become a perennial Super Bowl contender for the next three to five years.

Beane has some ammo this year with the extra second-round pick from trading away Stefon Diggs. Also, Beane hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire with his recent choices in the first two rounds. Transforming those picks into a guaranteed stud in Garrett would be the best way of guaranteeing Josh Allen some help as soon as possible.

Decision 2: Re-sign Amari Cooper or let him go?

The Bills traded a third-round pick to the Browns for Amari Cooper, and the results were a mixed bag. On one hand, the veteran was an exemplary teammate — he worked hard even if not getting a lot of snaps and targets, played through injuries, and was a good influence in the wide receivers room. Plus, every time his number was called, he made plays (the two catches against the Chiefs in the regular season game, and the big time TD catch against the New York Jets come to mind).

On the other hand, though, Cooper never became the number-one target he’d been everywhere else during his entire career. A lot of this was thanks to arriving midseason and having to learn the offense on the fly, but also to the way Buffalo spread the ball around during 2024 and Cooper himself not being that explosive anymore.

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There have been some rumors about the Bills being intrigued by the possibility of Cooper and Allen working together with offensive coordinator Joe Brady for an entire offseason. His big frame, sharp route running, and knack for making important plays certainly help.

However, McDermott has said during his combine interview that he’s a believer in speed and stretching the field vertically and horizontally, and that the Bills haven’t been able to consistently do that in 2024. It makes me believe that’s something the team will prioritize moving forward, and Cooper isn’t exactly a burner.

With Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, and Curtis Samuel under contract, Mack Hollins a candidate to return on a team-friendly deal, and the addition of speed at receiver via free agency or the draft (or both), it’s hard to envision enough snaps for everybody in this list, and to justify bringing Cooper back with money that could be used elsewhere.

My decision: Bring Amari Cooper back.

I don’t see many players who could be upgrades over Cooper among this year’s free-agency crop. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is a fit to what McDermott is looking for, but he’s coming off an injury-plagued year and I’m not sure he’d be the answer.

With the options available, I still think Cooper can be better utilized and become a more integral part of the offense, still being a more dangerous receiver than any option the Bills have not named Shakir.

I’d re-sign and give Cooper the bulk of snaps as a starter outside, playing the most productive option opposite him. He’s still feared by opposing cornerbacks with his crisp route running and contested-catch ability. He’s also a big body who can block — there’s no need to replace him with Hollins for blocking purposes, he just needs to get more familiarized with the playbook.

Beane can draft a field stretcher in the middle rounds, and allow him to rotate in and out of the lineup as he develops, having a clear role from the get-go. Curtis Samuel might become the odd man out in this scenario where Cooper, Coleman, Shakir, Hollins, and the rookie become the main pieces in the wide receivers room.

Decision 3: Extend or trade James Cook?

James Cook emerged as a star running back for the Bills during his third year in the NFL. With the offense focusing on establishing the run game through a physical offensive line, the former Georgia Bulldog has made the most of his opportunity and it’s fair to say he’s the second-best player on the team on that side of the field.

With that said, nothing justifies his recent social media clamor for $15 million annually. It’s a stretch, all things considered.

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Sean McDermott has recently praised Cook’s development, and is on record saying that “the business part will take care of itself.” With Cook trending better by the week, making significant leaps each season so far, it’s easy to understand McDermott’s excitement.

However, Cook seems determined to make the most money possible in his new deal, and the increase in the salary cap can be used to justify a value that’s higher than I’d like to see invested in a running back. That’s the case even if we’re talking about a guy who’s still ascending despite a pair of Pro Bowl selections on his resume.

The Bills have Cook under contract for the 2025 season, so there’s no real need to rush this decision. But with his early social media negotiation tactics, I don’t believe it will be easy to convince him to wait that long before getting a new deal.

With that in mind, trading the up-and-coming star might become a possibility. With how much money he wants to make, the return shouldn’t be anything exponential. Maybe a couple of third-round picks; a (unlikely) late second? Time will tell if we get to this point in negotiations.

My decision: Trade James Cook.

I know it sounds crazy to some fans, especially with Cook’s recent performances still fresh in our heads. He’s been valuable but the truth is, spending too much money on running backs, nowadays, isn’t wise.

The exceptions are very unique runners in their primes. Those are players like Saquon Barkley or even Derrick Henry — the latter who possesses a combo of size and speed never seen in the NFL before.

James Cook is a very good back who’s still getting better, but how much better will he truly become? He isn’t a bell-cow type, which means the Bills can’t count on him every down.

His inconsistent hands and lack of anchor and power when pass blocking make Ty Johnson, a veteran journeyman, a better option as a pass-catching/3rd down back. Also, remember when Ray Davis had to step in as a starter in his place? How much did we miss Cook? Not much — the rookie got the job done well in a featured role.

It’s not a stretch to assume the Bills can draft another very good back this April and continue to have those backs playing a big part of their best years for the team under their rookie deals. Allen and the offensive line will be there to make things easier. The money can be allocated to other important areas (wide receiver, defensive line, CB2, or safety).

I know the last time we heard “I’m not paying big bucks to my QB to hand it off to a $12 million back” it backfired, and badly. That quarterback wasn’t Josh Allen, though, and Cook isn’t Barkley.

If Cook can put contract thoughts aside and play at his best, cool. If he’ll take a deal for $10 million or less, great. Now, if Cook’s going to bring drama to the team this season, trade him and move on. James Cook isn’t irreplaceable.