Taron Johnson
The Buffalo Bills made another difficult financial decision this offseason, releasing veteran defensive back Taron Johnson in a move that frees up roughly $9.5 million in cap space. The decision reflects the ongoing roster reshaping taking place as Buffalo prepares for a schematic shift under its defensive staff, with the team expected to lean more heavily into a 3–4 defensive structure. While the move signals a changing of the guard in the secondary, a reunion cannot be completely ruled out if Johnson is willing to return on a more team-friendly contract later in the offseason.
Johnson’s departure creates both opportunity and pressure for the younger pieces in Buffalo’s secondary. Cornerback Christian Benford has already established himself as a reliable starter on the outside. At the same time, the organization is high on second-year defensive back Maxwell Hairston, who is expected to take on a larger role as the defense evolves. In a 3–4 alignment, defensive backs will be asked to handle more versatile responsibilities, and Buffalo appears confident its younger players can grow into those roles.
Regardless of how the roster ultimately shakes out, Johnson’s impact on the franchise is undeniable. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Johnson arrived in Buffalo without much fanfare but quickly developed into one of the league’s premier nickel corners.
Over the years, Johnson delivered several memorable moments, including timely interceptions. I know we all remember the pick-6 he had on Lamar Jackson in the playoffs. His versatility allowed the Bills to disguise coverages and pressure packages, making him one of the most important chess pieces in the secondary during Buffalo’s run as a perennial contender in the AFC.
When the story of this era of Bills football is eventually told, Johnson will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most reliable and impactful defenders of the modern Buffalo era. White, Hyde, Poyer, and Johnson led the defense over the past 6-8 years, and now it’s officially time for the next chapter of Buffalo’s history to be written.
Curtis Samuel
Wide receiver Curtis Samuel will unfortunately not be remembered as a major contributor during his brief stint with the Buffalo Bills. When Buffalo originally brought Samuel in, the expectation was that his versatility and speed would add another dimension to an offense led by franchise quarterback Josh Allen. Samuel had previously shown flashes throughout his career as a dynamic hybrid weapon capable of lining up in the slot, outside, or even in the backfield, making him an intriguing fit for Buffalo’s offensive scheme.
However, things never quite came together the way the organization had hoped. Injuries and inconsistent availability limited Samuel’s opportunities; this also carved a more significant role in the offense for Khalil Shakir, who has lined up all over the place in recent years, providing Buffalo with the impact they hoped to see from Samuel.
From a roster-building perspective, the move was largely financial. Releasing Samuel clears roughly $6.1 million in cap space for Buffalo, giving the front office additional flexibility as they continue to reshape the roster and manage the salary cap in an effort to remain competitive in the AFC.
Free Agency
With the acquisition of veteran WR D.J. Moore and now an extra $15.6m in cap space, Buffalo looks to continue adding weapons around Josh Allen after one of the most disappointing seasons from the receiving corps. Many sources around the league have seen 3 WRs as targets for Buffalo.
Alec Pierce of the Colts, coming off a career year, Romeo Doubs of the Packers, also coming off his best season but has yet to eclipse 1,000 yards in his career, and lastly Rashid Shaheed, following a season where he was traded to the Seahawks, struggled in his role at first but towards the end of the season and during the playoffs, his deep threat and return abilities were showcased.
Any one of these three will provide Buffalo with not only a revamped and revitalized receiving room, but it will also give fans some rejuvenation following yet another playoff heartbreak. With a room of Moore, Shakir, and one of these three, Keon Coleman, would be WR4 and have a reduced role, maybe that will help him reset and thrive. Either way Buffalos receiving room will be full of energy and excitement for the 2026 campaign.
A Look Ahead
Check out all of my previous articles alongside all free agent articles available here: 2026 Free Agency. and make sure to use code DL10 for 10% off all memberships! Also, tune in on YouTube to view our most recent video, where we discuss day 2 of the NFL Combine. Also, try our new mock draft simulator here: Mock Draft Simulator.
