The Buffalo Bills’ recent significant acquisition of DJ Moore from the Bears means tough choices are ahead. One potential consequence involves the offensive line, where a two-year starter might depart once free agency commences.
Guard David Edwards is among Buffalo’s two key offensive line free agents, and with Moore’s substantial contract, it’s improbable the team can retain Edwards, even with a franchise tag.
The recent re-signing of center Connor McGovern on Saturday further diminishes the likelihood of Edwards returning to Orchard Park.
Jacob Camenker of USA TODAY anticipates the New Orleans Saints will sign Edwards during free agency, a move that would significantly weaken the Bills’ blocking unit.
Potential Suitors for Edwards Away from Buffalo
“The Saints have invested heavily in recent draft picks for their offensive line, yet they still possess a vacancy at left guard,” Camenker noted. Edwards has manned that position for the Bills for the past two seasons and was ranked 10th among interior offensive linemen in ESPN’s run blocking win rate metric.
Edwards earned a 71.4 Pro Football Focus grade last season, placing him 19th out of 81 qualified guards. His proficiency in pass protection, considered his strongest asset, garnered a 73.0 grade, ranking 14th.
General manager Brandon Beane stated at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, “There’s no hard feelings if they go maximize their dollars and we can’t afford it. That’s our job. Our job is, if we can’t make it work, our job is to have the next Connor McGoverns and David Edwards and continue to do that.”
The seasoned seven-year veteran has started 37 games for Buffalo over the last two seasons, including playoff appearances, bringing leadership as he approaches a substantial free agency contract.
Edwards’ Expected Contract Details
Spotrac projects Edwards as the top-valued interior offensive lineman available in free agency, estimating a contract worth around $20 million annually. Buffalo is currently approximately $13 million over the salary cap, according to OverTheCap, even after recent player cuts on Friday, making his retention financially challenging.
Edwards’ anticipated contract terms are comparable to deals signed last offseason by Aaron Banks and Will Fries, each of whom secured over $17 million per year.
Furthermore, there is limited competition at the position. Mekhi Becton, who had a subpar performance with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025, is the next most highly-rated guard, with an estimated annual average value of $13.7 million.
While the Bills successfully addressed a critical need by bringing in Moore, this move will inevitably have consequences. The departure of Edwards is highly probable to be one of them.