Bills Free Agency Cap Choice: Is It Really Tremaine Edmunds 'vs.' Jordan Poyer?

This doesn't have to be "Edmunds vs. Poyer.'' It can be "Edmunds and Poyer.'' It's about Bills' choices and the cap.

The Buffalo Bills and their salary-cap challenges are real. But is it "real'' to suggest that when it coms to signing linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and safety Jordan Poyer, that it's "either/or''?

According to Albert Breer of SI.com, the Bills have “confronted the reality that it’s going to be tough” to retain both. And ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg chips in and writes that the Bills “appear more likely to re-sign Edmunds than Poyer.”

There are some unavoidable truths here.

The Bills are presently at $240 million in spending for the 2023 season - and the salary cap is $224.8 million; Buffalo and all teams much be cap-compliant by the start of the NFL business year in March.

Also factual: A team cannot afford "53 all-stars''; budgetary choices are always going to be made.

But there is a subtle fact that belies the myth of "Cap Hell'': Team can do almost anything they wish, sign almost anybody they wish ... 

If they wish to badly enough.

Therefore, in a real sense, the Bills do not "have to choose'' between signing Edmunds or Poyer; rather, they will "choose to choose.''

And they will use logic - and issues of age, replaceability and affordability - to decide.

Edmunds is 24. Poyer turns 32 in April.

There are not very many "Jordan Poyers'' on the planet, and we mean that compliment to reflect not only his talent and toughness, but also his character and leadership. But it is easier to find a quality safety than it is to find another Edmunds (who will be coveted elsewhere). Indeed, GM Brandon Beane has pretty much conceded as much, mentioning that the franchise tag could be in play for the free agent Edmunds.

Both Edmunds and Poyer are All-Pro-level talents. But the Bills' decisions on how to manage their cap - reflected in Beane's caution that this spring will not likely feature a Von Miller'esque repeat in terms of a monster outside signing - will surely lean toward the younger, less replaceable, more tag-worthy member of the roster.

And that's Edmunds.

Nevertheless: This doesn't have to be "Edmunds vs. Poyer.'' It can be "Edmunds and Poyer.'' And if it's not? It'll be the result of the Bills making a choice - a tough choice, but a choice still.

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