The Buffalo Bills made some significant moves this week to clear cap space and restructure contracts in order to navigate the upcoming season. The team announced the releases of several key players, including safety Jordan Poyer, center Mitch Morse, defensive back Siran Neal, wide receiver Deonte Harty, and running back Nyheim Hines. Additionally, the Bills plan to release cornerback Tre’Davious White after June 1. These moves will save the team approximately $36 million in salary-cap space.
The Bills had to make some tough decisions to comply with the 2024 salary cap, despite a league-wide increase of $30 million. Poyer and White were both integral members of the Bills defense, with each player earning first-team All-Pro honors during their careers. Poyer, who joined the Bills in 2017, quickly established himself as one of the top safeties in the NFL. White, a first-round pick in 2017, has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons.
Morse, who started 77 games for the Bills over the past five seasons, earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2022. Harty, primarily used as a punt return specialist, made a significant impact in the Bills’ season-ending win over the Miami Dolphins with a 96-yard punt return for a touchdown. Neal, a reserve defensive back, played in all 17 games last season. Hines, unfortunately, missed the entire 2023 season due to a knee injury sustained during a water skiing accident.
In addition to the player releases, the Bills also restructured the contract of linebacker Von Miller, resulting in a saving of over $8 million in salary cap space. These moves demonstrate the team’s commitment to managing their finances while maintaining a competitive roster.
On the quarterback front, it appears that Mitch Trubisky will be returning to the Bills as a backup to Josh Allen for the 2024 season. Trubisky, who was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, had a disappointing stint with the team, losing the starting job to rookie Kenny Pickett during the 2022 season. Trubisky completed 62.6% of his passes, throwing eight touchdowns and ten interceptions. The former second overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft spent four seasons with the Chicago Bears before joining the Bills in 2021.
While Poyer and White’s departures will leave a void in the Bills’ defensive secondary, the team has managed to retain safety Taylor Rapp on a two-year deal. Rapp joined the Bills as a free agent last year after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. His presence will help maintain stability and experience in the secondary.
Overall, the Buffalo Bills’ recent roster moves demonstrate their commitment to managing their salary cap while still fielding a competitive team. The releases of key players and contract restructurings will provide much-needed cap space for the upcoming season. Although some valuable contributors will be missed, the Bills are making calculated decisions to ensure their long-term success.