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
Raiders Acquire Bills' Taron Johnson in Trade The Las Vegas Raiders have completed a trade to acquire cornerback Taron Johnson from the Buffalo Bills, preventing him from becoming a free agent. The deal was finalized ahead of the NFL's trade deadline, with the Bills receiving a sixth-round draft pick in exchange for Johnson’s services. The Raiders, who had been monitoring the situation, stepped in to secure the veteran defender before he could enter the open market. Johnson, a 29-year-old cornerback, spent his entire NFL career with the Bills after being selected in the fourth round of the 2018 draft. Over his tenure with Buffalo, he made 113 regular-season appearances, including 87 starts. His performance earned him a spot on the second-team All-Pro list in 2023, highlighting his impact on the field. The trade includes financial terms tied to Johnson’s contract, which runs through the 2027 season. For the 2026 season, he is scheduled to earn a base salary of $8.1 million. Additionally, Johnson received a $150,000 workout bonus and a total of $510,000 in per-game roster bonuses. These incentives are part of the compensation package negotiated as part of the trade agreement. The transaction is set to become official on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. ET, coinciding with the start of the new NFL league year. This move underscores the Raiders’ commitment to strengthening their defensive roster, while the Bills aim to manage their cap space and rebuild their secondary. Johnson’s arrival in Las Vegas is expected to provide immediate depth and experience to the Raiders’ defense, which has been a focal point of their recent roster adjustments.#trade_deadline #buffalo_bills #taron_johnson #las_vegas_raiders #nfl
Buffalo Bills release longtime CB Taron Johnson, three others ahead of free agency The Buffalo Bills announced on Friday, March 6, that they have released cornerback Taron Johnson, safety Taylor Rapp, wide receiver Curtis Samuel, and cornerback Dane Jackson. The moves come as the team prepares for the upcoming free agency period. Johnson, who spent eight seasons with the Bills, concluded his tenure in 2025 after playing in 13 regular season games and making eight starts. During the 2025 season, he recorded 57 tackles, four passes defensed, and one tackle for loss. Over his entire career with the Bills, Johnson amassed 572 tackles, 48 passes defensed, 23 tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, eight forced fumbles, six interceptions, and three fumble recoveries. He developed into one of the league’s top nickel cornerbacks, earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2023. Johnson is also remembered for a standout defensive play in Bills history, a 101-yard interception return against the Ravens in the 2020-21 NFL Playoffs. The Bills selected him in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, 121st overall, and he appeared in 113 games with 87 starts over his eight seasons. Rapp, who joined the Bills in 2023 after spending three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, played 36 games for the team, including 24 starts. Over his time with Buffalo, he tallied 158 tackles, eight passes defensed, three interceptions, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one quarterback hit, and a half-sack. His career with the Bills was impacted by a lingering knee injury, which led to his placement on injured reserve on October 24, 2025. Despite the injury, Rapp started six games in 2025, recording 26 tackles.#buffalo_bills #taron_johnson #taylor_rapp #curtis_samuel #dane_jackson
Aaron Rodgers Claims Bills' Defense Has 'One of The Best Players in The League' The Buffalo Bills' defense is navigating a transition period, but veteran cornerback Taron Johnson remains a key figure in their plans. Despite uncertainty surrounding his role in the team’s evolving scheme, Rodgers’ recent praise has reinforced his value. The Green Bay Packers quarterback, who faced Johnson in a December 2024 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, highlighted the defensive back’s versatility and impact. Johnson, a 29-year-old nickel cornerback, has been a staple for the Bills since joining the team in 2018. Drafted in the fourth round, he has made 113 career appearances, including 87 starts, and averages 71.5 tackles per season. His ability to adapt to multiple roles—whether as a traditional cornerback or part of a hybrid linebacker scheme—has made him an essential piece for defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. Rodgers, speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, praised Johnson’s dual-threat capabilities. “I think Buffalo did this more than anybody, playing nickel to every personnel, because Taron Johnson is one of the best players in the league,” Rodgers said. “He’s one of the most underrated players in the league. He can play a box linebacker and stop the run and he can cover guys.” Johnson’s contributions have been evident on the field. In 2024, he recorded a crucial interception during a 23-20 road win over the New York Jets, and his presence helped secure a Week 13 victory over the Steelers. General manager Brandon Beane echoed Rodgers’ sentiment, noting Johnson’s adaptability. “The guy’s played nickel, but he’s also basically been half of a WILL linebacker just the way our defense was constructed,” Beane said at the NFL Combine. Despite his contract through 2027 and a $9.#aaron_rodgers #taron_johnson #buffalo_bills #green_bay_packers #jim_leonhard
