The Buffalo Bills have taken a hindsight approach to their free agency roster construction this offseason.

In 2022, the Buffalo Bills strayed away from their typical offseason methodology with the hopes that a major free agency signing could finally get them over the hump following another brutal playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Buffalo went after former All-Pro pass rusher Von Miller with a massive three-year $120 million contract ... and a lot of hope. Three seasons later - and an almost fully guaranteed deal down the drain - the Bills are kicking themselves over the move.

This offseason after another loss in the AFC championship game (to the Chiefs again) Buffalo cut the veteran Miller after a tenure of injuries, a suspension, and regressed performance that did not provide the spark they were hoping for.

Now Buffalo has learned its lesson.

Rather than throwing money at big-name free agents, the Bills returned back to their usual methods of targeting mid-level role players - especially ones that are home-grown - to build around their stars.

General manager Brandon Beane orchestrated four extension deals to keep valuable young pieces in upstate New York. Receiver Khalil Shakir, cornerback Christian Benford, linebacker Terrel Bernard and edge rusher Greg Rousseau each got new contracts.

Not to mention, linebacker Matt Milano took a pay cut in his new contract that helped in re-signing franchise quarterback and MVP Josh Allen to a six-year, $330 million contract with a record $250 million in guarantees. Now that's a guy worth signing.

The NFL free agency period also saw this conservative philosophy from the Bills.

Buffalo signed mid-roster contributors like receiver Joshua Palmer (3-year, $29 million), edge rusher Michael Hoecht (3-year, $21 million), and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (1-year, $6.7 million) to affordable contracts.

The only "splash" name was defensive end Joey Bosa, who at nearly 30 and with a history of injuries, Buffalo was able to get for a relative cheap price (1-year, $12.6 million).

Does this approach make up for past missteps? Likely not, especially for a fan base that is in need of rejuvenation and excitement.

This approach does, however, show a sign of humility, acceptance, and willingness to stay within the comfort zone.

ESPN's Bill Barnwell in his AFC superlatives names the Bills as the team "most likely to stay the course".

They did that this offseason, but we won't know the return on investment (if there is any) until Buffalo rises to the occasion and finally dethrones the Chiefs in the AFC.