Von Released, Frees Up $8.4M Cap Space

[RiotAct]

I’d be open to Von re-joining the team, as long as he literally pays us (thereby freeing up cap space) AND doesn’t see the field during a game.

[Mister Defense]

On 5/22/2025 at 1:16 PM, Warriorspikes51 said:

I can see us signing him for cheap during the summer with the expectation he may not get much playing time and just to help mentor the younger players

 

No way, as this is a very bad idea.

 

The Bills are in much better shape as far as pass rushers are concerned after this off season.  They will now battle it out to see who starts, gets playing time, and who gets cut. 

 

One of the main problems last year is that he was dead weight, almost never made an important play in the pass or running game, a wasted roster spot.  The Bills clearly (eventually) saw that and it would not even cross their minds to let Miller take a vital roster spot again. I doubt any team will, unless desperate. Or very foolish.

 

 

 

Edited 6 hours ago by Mister Defense

[Mister Defense]

23 hours ago, SCBills said:

If we trade Epenesa, I’d certainly be open to bringing back Von.

 

Not sure if there’s much of a market for AJ at that cap hit, but if we can get a pick for him, given we have no comp picks lined up, and then slot back in Von as a rotational guy who can continue to work with Solomon and help mentor Jackson.. seems like it makes sense. 

 

This would make no sense at all for the Bills to do.

 

Why would they get rid of a player who makes a bunch of good plays during the season, and overall is solid, if not very consistent or high level, for a player that made almost zero good plays last year? 

 

You don't cut a decent player and then bring in a completely washed out, done player, wayyy past his prime--ever.

 

Miller is not miraculously going to become a viable NFL player again this off season let alone a good one.

 

 

Edited 6 hours ago by Mister Defense

[Sierra Foothills]

I saw the topic listing and for various reasons that all can figure out, it processed in my head as

 

"Von Released, Freed as $8.4M Bail Paid"

 

Minimally I need new reading glasses... 

 

[Doc Brown]

4 hours ago, Mister Defense said:

 

This would make no sense at all for the Bills to do.

 

Why would they get rid of a player who makes a bunch of good plays during the season, and overall is solid, if not very consistent or high level, for a player that made almost zero good plays last year? 

 

You don't cut a decent player and then bring in a completely washed out, done player, wayyy past his prime--ever.

 

Miller is not miraculously going to become a viable NFL player again this off season let alone a good one.

 

 

Epenesa is a slightly below average DE starter.  He's not a decent player.  If you can get something for him and save $6.2m against the cap you do it.  Maybe use that money to extend McGovern or give you the flexibility to add a WR at the trade deadline again (or any other position where injuries crop up).  If Jackson is who we hope he is then we could role with Rousseau, Bosa, Jackson, Hoecht, and Soloman.  I agree with you about Miller though.  He's washed. 

[BillsFanForever19]

1 hour ago, Doc Brown said:

Epenesa is a slightly below average DE starter.  He's not a decent player.  If you can get something for him and save $6.2m against the cap you do it.  Maybe use that money to extend McGovern or give you the flexibility to add a WR at the trade deadline again (or any other position where injuries crop up).  If Jackson is who we hope he is then we could role with Rousseau, Bosa, Jackson, Hoecht, and Soloman.  I agree with you about Miller though.  He's washed. 

 

If you're implying after Week 6 when we have Hoecht and in the scenario that everyone has stayed healthy along the DE position over the first 6 weeks, maybe.

 

But before then, it would be risky to do so and while it could be an upgrade - it could just as easily not move the needle or be a downgrade. Bosa isn't going to play more than 50% of snaps and probably shouldn't be overused bc he's historically a walking injury waiting to happen. So you're asking a 3rd Round Rookie to take on a pretty big role right out of the gate before his sea legs are under him. And with Bosa being an injury risk, if he were injured (or Groot) - we'd be asking Jackson to start before Hoecht got here, as we'd be down to only 4 DE's. We'd also be leaning on Solomon a bunch too.

 

We have no idea what Jackson is right now as an NFL player (or really Solomon either). Generally, we don't generally rush Rookies after Round 2 into big roles. McDermott is usually pretty conservative when it comes to Rookies. Epenesa might not be more than a slightly below average starter, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have value in a rotation. We know what his ceiling is and what his floor is. Right now, I think you roll with a 4 rotation of Groot, Bosa, AJE, and Jackson. I think we need him after Week 6 where we know where we're at with Jackson (and Solomon for that matter), evaluate what the health of the room is, and have Hoecht in the lineup. 

Edited 1 hour ago by BillsFanForever19

[Doc Brown]

13 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

If you're implying after Week 6 when we have Hoecht and in the scenario that everyone has stayed healthy along the DE position, maybe.

 

But before then, it would be risky to do so and may be a downgrade. Bosa isn't going to play more than 50% of snaps and probably shouldn't be overused bc he's historically a walking injury waiting to happen. So you're asking a 3rd Round Rookie to take on a pretty big role right out of the gate before his sea legs are under him. And with Bosa being an injury risk, if he were injured - we'd be asking Jackson to start before Hoecht got here, as we'd be down to only 4 DE's. We'd also be leaning on Solomon a bunch too.

 

We have no idea what Jackson is right now (or really Solomon either). Historically, we don't generally rush Rookies after Round 2 into big roles. Epenesa might not be more than a slightly below average starter, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have value in a rotation. We know what his ceiling is and what his floor is. I think we need him until we know where we're at with Jackson (and Solomon for that matter), see what the health of the room is, and get Hoecht back after Week 6. Right now, I think you roll with a 4 rotation of Groot, Bosa, AJE, and Jackson. 

It's a risk I'd take if Jackson looks good in training camp.  Him and AJE are similar players and their skill set would be redundant as the DE2 opposite Groot or Bosa.  You keep him if you can't trade him but that $6.2m cap savings is too good to pass up.  I'm not worried about losing a DE that actually regressed last year finishing with a pass rush grade of 56 (139 of 211 qualifying DE's) and a run defensive grade of 58.7 (117 of 211).  You can always kick get creative and kick out an athletic DT (Sanders) on likely running plays too since that position will likely be crowded too.  Maybe they bring back Smoot at the rookie minimum if none of your likely practice squad DE camp bodies aren't ready to be a healthy scratch the first six weeks if you're worried about injury.