Buffalo’s Roster Shakeup: Bills Release Four as $22M Cap Deficit Looms The Buffalo Bills have made four roster cuts to address their salary cap situation ahead of the new league year, creating $12.1 million in cap space. Bills president and general manager Brandon Beane announced the moves on Friday, releasing veteran cornerback Taron Johnson, wide receiver Curtis Samuel, safety Taylor Rapp, and cornerback Dane Jackson. Despite these cuts, the team remains approximately $22 million over the NFL’s $301.2 million salary cap limit. Beane’s decision to part ways with Johnson, a longtime starting nickel cornerback, aligns with the team’s strategic shift under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. Johnson, a 2018 fourth-round pick, is best known for his iconic interception of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the 2020 divisional round playoff game, a play that culminated in a touchdown from out of his own end zone. While the Bills explored potential changes to Johnson’s role, including a possible move to safety, Beane emphasized that all options were still on the table. “Nothing’s off the table,” Beane said, noting Johnson’s value as a “good football player.” Rapp, who started 24 games over the past three seasons, joined the Bills as a free agent from the Los Angeles Rams. He took over the starting safety role after Micah Hyde’s retirement and Jordan Poyer’s brief stint with the Miami Dolphins. However, Rapp’s 2025 season was cut short by a season-ending knee injury, limiting him to just six games. Samuel, a three-year team member signed in 2024 to reunite with offensive coordinator Joe Brady, struggled with recurring injuries and played in only six games last season. He caught seven passes for 81 yards and one touchdown, far below expectations.#buffalo_bills #jim_leonhard #taron_johnson #brandon_beane #micah_hyde
