Mitch Wishnowsky

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Bills landed an absolute steal by securing Mitch Wishnowsky on a one-year, $1.5M deal, earning an A+ CVI that represents exceptional value in today's punting market. While Wishnowsky grades as a serviceable starter rather than an elite weapon, his proven NFL experience and reliability come at a bargain-basement price that's roughly half of what solid punters typically command in free agency. The minimal guaranteed money ($100K) creates virtually zero financial risk for Buffalo, giving them the flexibility to move on if needed while locking up a dependable leg for their special teams unit. At 32, Wishnowsky isn't entering his prime years, but punters age more gracefully than most positions, and his track record suggests he can maintain this level of performance throughout the contract. This shrewd signing allows the Bills to address a crucial special teams need without compromising their salary cap flexibility, freeing up resources to chase bigger fish while ensuring they won't be stuck with punting woes that have plagued other contenders.

Performance Analysis

Mitch Wishnowsky sits in an interesting place for a 7-year veteran punter — his C- performance grade reflects what traditional metrics capture, but the full picture is more nuanced than that number suggests. His defining strength is his elite return-limiting ability, a measurable and genuinely valuable skill that saw him lead the NFL in that category, making him a legitimate weapon in the field position battle rather than a passive roster necessity. The weakness the grade reflects is real, though — conventional punting metrics don't fully reward what Wishnowsky does best, creating the disconnect that Buffalo media has openly acknowledged, with multiple reporters framing his stats as underselling his actual impact. Over 13 games played, he recorded one tackle, which is about what you'd expect from a punter whose value is almost entirely defined by placement precision and coverage outcomes rather than box-score contributions. The coffin-corner work — most visibly a punt that pinned Jacksonville at their own 1-yard line — is exactly the kind of situational execution that wins field position battles in tight playoff-caliber environments, and it's why this re-signing reads as savvy roster management rather than a luxury. At 34, Wishnowsky isn't getting better, but with a one-year deal in place and a roster building around him through additions at safety, quarterback depth, and offensive line, Buffalo clearly views him as a finishing piece rather than a project. He's an above-average specialist whose value lives in the margins — and in a short-field NFL where field position can swing momentum, those margins matter more than his grade alone conveys.

Fan Sentiment

Buffalo locks up a legitimately above-average punter in a smart, low-risk retention. Multiple headlines confirm this is a re-signing, with reporters noting his elite return-limiting ability. The strongest signal: Wishnowsky led the NFL in limiting return yardage, a measurable, valuable skill. Fans point to his pinpoint coffin-corner accuracy — that 1-yard-line punt against Jacksonville is exactly what Buffalo wants. Expect Wishnowsky to hold the starting role and keep the Bills' field position battle firmly in their favor.