With the salary cap landscape shifting, Buffalo faces pivotal roster decisions. Discover which veterans could be sacrificed to create financial flexibility for late-summer veteran acquisitions.
One of the most-watched days of the NFL calendar isn't the start of free agency or even the NFL draft. Ok, that's a lie. But there's another day that man fans have circled is June 1.
Some are waiting for potential trades to be made, while others are looking at possible cuts to improve their rosters.
But why does June 1 matter? It's all about the salary cap.
If a player is released or traded prior to the day, the full dead cap hit counts for the current league year. If it happens after June 1, the cap hit gets spread over two years, making moves more likely for teams working around the salary cap.
For the Buffalo Bills, they aren't too pressed up against the cap right now with $9.81 million in space, per Over The Cap. However, that doesn't mean there aren't potential moves the team could make to open space if there's something out there that Brandon Beane wants to do.
If they do decide to make a few releases, here are some players who could see their time in Buffalo come to an end.
Running Back Ty Johnson
Ty Johnson has proven over the years to be a valuable member of the Bills' roster. But with one year left on his contract, it's more about what else Buffalo has on the roster.
James Cook and Ray Davis are set as the team's top two backs. Behind that, other young players are looking to make it to the 53-man roster.
Frank Gore Jr. has been in the organization, on and off, since 2024 and could be ready to make the move after signing a two-year deal this offseason. There's also undrafted free agent rookie Desmond Reid out of Pittsburgh, who, despite an injury-shortened 2025 season, has the explosiveness that could excite head coach Joe Brady and the entire offensive coaching staff.
It's unlikely that Johnson will be let go, but if Buffalo decided to move on from the 29-year-old, the Bills would free up $2.455 million.
Punter Mitch Wishnowsky
When teams use a draft pick on a punter, it's almost a certainty that he will be suiting up on Sundays. This year, the Bills drafted Florida's Tommy Doman Jr. in the 7th round. He will be given every opportunity in training camp and the preseason to prove he should be the team's punter. Should that happen, Mitch Wishnowsky is all but certain to be let go.
Releasing Wishnowsky would clear $1.1 million.
Linebacker Dorian Williams
There are many who still like and believe in Dorian Williams. He's provided solid depth for Buffalo since being drafted in the third round in 2023. But he hasn't taken that next step to be trusted as a starting linebacker for the team.
With the injury history of Terrell Bernard and Kaleb Elarms-Orr being a rookie, Williams' release would be one of the more shocking moves from the Bills. But if a better option arises from another team, freeing up $3.67 million being used for a backup could be something worth discussing.
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