One trade, cut, signing Buffalo Bills should make

The Buffalo Bills added another heartbreaking chapter to their history of postseason disappointments with Tyler Bass’ missed game-tying field-goal attempt in the AFC divisional round. Although they're still Super Bowl contenders as long as QB Josh Allen is at the helm, the Bills enter the offseason with plenty of questions and a tight budget. 

With that in mind, here are a trade, cut and signing the Bills should make in the coming months.

TRADE: Send WR Stefon Diggs to the New York Giants 

Despite the drama surrounding Diggs over the past year and his lackluster performance in the second half of 2023, the cash-strapped Bills entered the offseason with few viable options to cut ties with the four-time Pro Bowler. Cutting Diggs with a post-June 1 designation would save just over $19M in cap space, but that route wouldn't make as much sense since he can still be an impactful contributor.

However, trading Diggs away after June 1 would save the same amount of money as releasing him. While a potential trade partner would have to take on a hefty salary, the Giants might not mind, as they're still searching for a true No. 1 wideout. Not to mention that Diggs thrived in Brian Daboll's system when the Giants head coach was Buffalo's offensive coordinator and has raved about playing for the 48-year-old.

Since this hypothetical scenario would play out after the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bills would have to get a succession plan for Diggs in order, which they could address in the first round. Perhaps a package that revolves around New York's 2025 second- and third-round picks would appeal to Buffalo. 

CUT: Cornerback Tre’Davious White 

For as integral of a piece as White has been to the Bills defense throughout his career, releasing the two-time Pro Bowler would be disappointing, but it's clearly the right move. Over the last three seasons, White has played just 21 games due to a torn ACL in 2021 and a season-ending Achilles injury in 2023. 

White is scheduled to carry a $16.4M cap hit next season and is due a $1.5M roster bonus on March 18, so it's possible a decision regarding his future will be made before then. Buffalo would save roughly $6.1M in cap space for 2024 by releasing White before June 1 and incur a $10.4M dead cap hit. 

SIGNING: Safety Jeremy Chinn 

Buffalo will likely move on from impending free-agent Micah Hyde this offseason, and finding his replacement will be near the top of GM Brandon Beane's offseason checklist. Fortunately for the Bills, the 2024 free-agent safety class is stacked with talent, and while they'd obviously love to add Antoine Winfield Jr., Geno Stone or Xavier McKinney, Chinn is a more realistic (and cost-effective) option. 

Chinn, a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by Carolina, never built on his standout debut season, where he finished second in Defensive Rookie of the Year balloting after leading all rookies in tackles (116). Even so, the hybrid linebacker/safety seemingly fell out of favor with Panthers DC Ejiro Evero in 2023, resulting in him playing 39% of Carolina's defensive snaps and starting just eight games, both career lows. 

If Chinn can duplicate some of the success he experienced early in his career, the versatile defender's addition could aid Buffalo in finally getting past Kansas City in the playoffs. According to Pro Football Focus, Chinn is projected to sign a one-year, $3M deal with $2M guaranteed this offseason, which would be an easy decision for Buffalo to offer.