The Buffalo Bills will carry nearly $29 million in dead cap in 2026 after multiple void-year contracts expire. Here’s what it means and why teams use void years.
The Buffalo Bills knew this moment was coming. In 2026, the bill finally comes due on several short-term cap maneuvers, with void years triggering roughly $29 million in dead cap once those contracts officially expire.
It’s not unexpected, but it’s still a notable pressure point as the team plans its next roster phase.
For fans wondering how this happens, void years are essentially accounting tools built into NFL contracts. Teams add extra years to the end of a deal that automatically void before the season starts. Those years aren’t meant to be played. Instead, they allow a team to spread signing bonus money over more seasons, lowering the immediate cap hit and creating flexibility in the short term.
The tradeoff is simple: once the contract voids, any remaining prorated money accelerates onto the salary cap as dead cap. That’s exactly what’s happening for Buffalo in 2026.
The largest hit comes from Matt Milano, whose void years leave behind $11 million in dead cap. Milano has been one of the defensive cornerstones of the Sean McDermott era, and the structure of his deal allowed the Bills to stay aggressive at other positions over the years. That flexibility now shows up on the back end.
The offensive line also takes a hit with Connor McGovern carrying $4.8 million in dead cap. In the trenches, DaQuan Jones accounts for $3.7 million, while edge defender A.J. Epenesa adds $2.8 million.
Then there’s Joey Bosa, whose contract void leaves $7.2 million on the books after spending one season in Buffalo.
In total, the $29 million dead cap hit doesn’t cripple Buffalo. If you remember, in 2024, the Bills carried a $31 million hit from the Stefon Diggs trade alone. However, it does limit flexibility a bit. That’s money that can’t be spent on free agents or extensions, meaning the front office will need to lean more heavily on the draft and restructures to find the space.
This is the cost of chasing contention. The Bills pushed cap dollars into future seasons to stay competitive, and 2026 is one of the years where the ledger evens out. Still, with how the Salary cap continues to increase and the moves the team can make, fans shouldn't worry too much about not making any moves.
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