One of the key takeaways from the Buffalo Bills’ AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs was their struggle to stop crucial third-down conversions. The Chiefs converted five of nine third downs, with Buffalo’s pass rush failing to slow down Patrick Mahomes and his offense.
To address this issue, general manager Brandon Beane bolstered the defensive line by signing Joey Bosa, Michael Hoecht, and Larry Ogunjobi. According to Pro Football Focus, this investment in the defensive front was the most significant positive move for Buffalo in free agency.
Although Ogunjobi and Hoecht will miss the first six games due to suspension, their presence will add much-needed depth to a unit that ranked 27th in run defense last season. In the meantime, Bosa, despite battling injuries in recent years, will be relied upon to support Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa in pressuring opposing quarterbacks.
If Bosa can regain his previous form, the Bills’ defense could see significant improvement. Once Hoecht and Ogunjobi return, the defensive line could provide the extra push Buffalo needs to take the next step in the playoffs. With MVP quarterback Josh Allen leading the offense, even small defensive improvements could help the Bills break through their postseason challenges in 2025.
