The Buffalo Bills are projected to be approximately $11 million over the salary cap as they look ahead to the 2026 NFL season. While this figure presents a challenge, the team's front office has several strategic options available to create significant financial flexibility.
Through a combination of contract restructures, potential player releases, and proactive extensions, the Bills could generate nearly $50 million in usable cap space. These moves will require difficult choices, balancing team loyalty with the need for roster efficiency to remain competitive.
Key Takeaways
- The Buffalo Bills are currently projected to be $11 million over the 2026 salary cap.
- Strategic contract restructures with key players like Josh Allen and Ed Oliver could save over $22 million.
- Releasing several veteran players, including Dawson Knox and Curtis Samuel, could free up an additional $20 million.
- A potential early contract extension for guard O'Cyrus Torrence could provide immediate cap relief and long-term stability.
- The front office faces a critical offseason focused on maximizing financial efficiency to build a championship-contending roster.
Understanding the Cap Situation
For the Buffalo Bills, managing the salary cap has become an annual strategic exercise. The initial projection of being $11 million over the limit is not a sign of crisis but rather a starting point for a series of calculated financial maneuvers. General Manager Brandon Beane and his team have a well-defined playbook for this scenario.
The core of the strategy involves leveraging existing contracts and making tough evaluations on player value versus cost. The goal is to transform a restrictive cap situation into one that allows for roster improvements, whether through free agency, trades, or retaining key homegrown talent.
What is a Salary Cap?
The NFL salary cap is a set amount of money that each of the 32 teams is allowed to spend on player contracts for a given season. This system is designed to maintain competitive balance across the league, preventing teams in major markets from outspending smaller-market franchises for talent.
Path to Flexibility: Restructures and Extensions
The most immediate path to creating cap space involves restructuring the contracts of high-value veteran players. This process converts a portion of a player's base salary into a signing bonus, which can then be spread out over the remaining years of the contract. This lowers the immediate cap hit without reducing the total money paid to the player.
Several key players are prime candidates for this approach:
- Josh Allen: A restructure could save approximately $12 million.
- Ed Oliver: Restructuring his deal could free up around $10.5 million.
- Dion Dawkins: Potential savings range from $8 to $11 million.
- Spencer Brown: Could provide between $6 to $10 million in relief.
Another proactive strategy is an early contract extension. Right guard O’Cyrus Torrence is a logical target. By extending his contract a year before it expires, the Bills could lower his 2026 cap number by about $2 million. This move would also lock in a key offensive lineman at a predictable cost before his market value potentially increases after another strong season.
The Hard Choices: Potential Roster Cuts
Creating significant cap space often requires making difficult decisions about popular or long-tenured players whose on-field production no longer aligns with their contract value. This offseason will force the Bills to prioritize financial efficiency over sentimentality.
Potential Savings from Releases
Releasing four specific veterans before the new league year could create over $22 million in immediate cap space, a substantial figure that would provide significant roster-building flexibility.
Several players could be considered for release to achieve these savings:
- Dawson Knox (TE): Releasing Knox could save the team around $11 million. His role in the offense has seen a reduction, making his contract a target for savings.
- Curtis Samuel (WR): A release would free up $6 million. Samuel's time with the team has been impacted by injuries, limiting his overall contribution.
- Taylor Rapp (S): The team could save $3 million by moving on from Rapp, potentially finding a more affordable option at the safety position.
- Tyler Bass (K): While a more minor move, releasing Bass would save nearly $2.9 million, which could be reallocated if the team finds a reliable replacement through the draft or free agency.
Complex Contract Scenarios
Not every contract decision is straightforward. Linebacker Matt Milano's situation presents a unique opportunity. His contract is set to void in February, which would trigger an $11 million dead cap charge if no action is taken. However, signing him to a new one-year deal at his projected market value of around $4.5 million could actually reduce his 2026 cap hit to approximately $10 million.
This move would provide a net savings for the 2026 season while retaining a veteran leader on defense. The challenge lies in both parties agreeing to the terms and the team accepting the injury risk associated with Milano.
Similarly, cornerback Taron Johnson's contract is a point of debate. Restructuring his deal is an option, but it carries risk. If the team's defensive scheme evolves away from heavy nickel packages where Johnson excels, pushing his cap hit into future years could become a financial burden.
The Ultimate Goal: Building a Contender
After all the potential restructures and releases are considered, the Bills could find themselves with close to $50 million in cap space. However, that money must be spent wisely. The team has needs at key positions, including wide receiver and edge rusher, and must decide whether to pay market value for free agents or trust in its drafting and player development programs.
This offseason represents a crossroads for the franchise. The decisions made will not be about retaining familiar faces, but about constructing a roster with the efficiency and talent required to take the final step toward a championship. Every dollar will count in that pursuit.