Very Early Look at the Bills 2026 Offseason - Free Agents, Cap Space, Players on Expiring Contracts

[BillsFanForever19]

With the 2025 Offseason being Post-Draft and nearing the end, I figured i'd take a quick look at what we'll be dealing with next offseason. Below i've listed the players who's contracts are expiring, as well as players of interest on the last year of their deal who could be extension or cut candidates. Many of the names on the list probably won't make the roster this year. And yes, I know it's early but I always like to take a look ahead:

 

 

Current Cap Space for 2026: $10,041,773 Under the Cap (after projected overall Salary Cap increase)

 

Unrestricted Free Agents:

 

- RB James Cook

- LB Matt Milano

- DE Joey Bosa

- C Connor McGovern

- G David Edwards

- DE AJ Epenesa

- DT Daquan Jones

- CB Tre'Davious White

- DT Larry Ogunjobi

- WR Elijah Moore

- QB Mitch Trubisky

- CB Cam Lewis

- S Damar Hamlin

- S Darrick Forrest

- P Jake Carmada

- FB Reggie Gilliam

- CB Dane Jackson

- WR Laviska Shenault

- QB Mike White

- LB Baylon Spector

- WR K.J. Hamler

- RB Darrynton Evans

- G Kendrick Green

 

Restricted and Exclusive RIghts Free Agents:

 

- G Alec Anderson

- OT Ryan Van Demark

- CB Ja'Marcus Ingram

- WR Jalen Virgil

- QB Shane Buechele

- P Brad Robbins

- TE Armani Rogers

 

Players of interest on the Last Year of their Deal in 2026:

 

- OG O'Cyrus Torrence

- TE Dalton Kincaid (if 5th Year Option isn't picked up) 

- LB Dorian Williams

- RB Ty Johnson

- WR Curtis Samuel (Potential Out in 2026: 9.725 Cap, 3.45m Dead Cap)

- TE Dawson Knox (Potential Out in 2026: 17m Cap, 7m Dead Cap)

- S Taylor Rapp (Potential Out in 2026: 4m Cap, 667k Dead Cap)

Edited 3 hours ago by BillsFanForever19

[Not at the table Karlos]

Most of those UFAs are gonna be gone. 

[nosejob]

Misleading title....Was psyched to see a mock draft.

[SoonerBillsFan]

1 hour ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

With the 2025 Offseason being Post-Draft and nearing the end, I figured i'd take a quick look at what we'll be dealing with next offseason. Below i've listed the players who's contracts are expiring, as well as players of interest on the last year of their deal who could be extension or cut candidates. Many of the names on the list probably won't make the roster this year. And yes, I know it's early but I always like to take a look ahead:

 

 

Current Cap Space for 2026: $10,041,773 Under the Cap

 

Unrestricted Free Agents:

 

- RB James Cook

- C Connor McGovern

- QB Mitch Trubisky

- S Darrick Forrest

 

 

Restricted and Exclusive RIghts Free Agents:

 

- G Alec Anderson

- OT Ryan Van Demark

 

 

Players of interest on the Last Year of their Deal in 2026:

 

- OG O'Cyrus Torrence

- TE Dalton Kincaid (if 5th Year Option isn't picked up) 

- LB Dorian Williams

- RB Ty Johnson

- WR Curtis Samuel (Potential Out in 2026: 9.725 Cap, 3.45m Dead Cap)

- TE Dawson Knox (Potential Out in 2026: 17m Cap, 7m Dead Cap)

- S Taylor Rapp (Potential Out in 2026: 4m Cap, 667k Dead Cap)

There, that should be the true list.

[Nephilim17]

1 hour ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

Current Cap Space for 2026: $10,041,773 Under the Cap

 

Is that 10 million under the current cap number or the projected 2026 cap? If the former, we're in really good shape. At least relative to the past few years.

[BillsFanForever19]

1 hour ago, Not at the table Karlos said:

Most of those UFAs are gonna be gone. 

 

Yes, I mentioned that in the post. Though I believe at least 16 of them will be on the 53 this year.

 

22 minutes ago, Nephilim17 said:

Is that 10 million under the current cap number or the projected 2026 cap? If the former, we're in really good shape. At least relative to the past few years.

 

Unfortunately, that's with a projection of a higher cap.

[MJS]

2 hours ago, Not at the table Karlos said:

Most of those UFAs are gonna be gone. 

Agreed. I'd keep McGovern and potentially Moore if he pans out this season. If Bosa has a good season, he'll demand big money on the open market. I'm sure Gilliam will be signed as well. That's fine. Perhaps Forrest if he is worth it. The rest can walk.

[LEBills]

2 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

With the 2025 Offseason being Post-Draft and nearing the end, I figured i'd take a quick look at what we'll be dealing with next offseason. Below i've listed the players who's contracts are expiring, as well as players of interest on the last year of their deal who could be extension or cut candidates. Many of the names on the list probably won't make the roster this year. And yes, I know it's early but I always like to take a look ahead:

 

 

Current Cap Space for 2026: $10,041,773 Under the Cap

 

Unrestricted Free Agents:

 

- RB James Cook

- LB Matt Milano

- DE Joey Bosa

- C Connor McGovern

- G David Edwards

- DE AJ Epenesa

- DT Daquan Jones

- CB Tre'Davious White

- DT Larry Ogunjobi

- WR Elijah Moore

- QB Mitch Trubisky

- CB Cam Lewis

- S Damar Hamlin

- S Darrick Forrest

- P Jake Carmada

- FB Reggie Gilliam

- CB Dane Jackson

- WR Laviska Shenault

- QB Mike White

- LB Baylon Spector

- WR K.J. Hamler

- RB Darrynton Evans

- G Kendrick Green

 

Restricted and Exclusive RIghts Free Agents:

 

- G Alec Anderson

- OT Ryan Van Demark

- CB Ja'Marcus Ingram

- WR Jalen Virgil

- QB Shane Buechele

- P Brad Robbins

- TE Armani Rogers

 

Players of interest on the Last Year of their Deal in 2026:

 

- OG O'Cyrus Torrence

- TE Dalton Kincaid (if 5th Year Option isn't picked up) 

- LB Dorian Williams

- RB Ty Johnson

- WR Curtis Samuel (Potential Out in 2026: 9.725 Cap, 3.45m Dead Cap)

- TE Dawson Knox (Potential Out in 2026: 17m Cap, 7m Dead Cap)

- S Taylor Rapp (Potential Out in 2026: 4m Cap, 667k Dead Cap)

Taron is another likely cut next year. 
 

RVD is unlikely to get an RFA tender since the minimum is over $3 mil which would be a lot for an OT4. Anderson may get the minimum tender if they think he is the replacement for Edwards.

 

Cook and McGovern are hopefully resigned soon.

[Ralonzo]

1 hour ago, nosejob said:

Misleading title....Was psyched to see a mock draft.

 

You're gonna love the number of comp picks in '27...

[Ralonzo]

Here's the Spotrac link for 2026: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/cap/_/year/2026/sort/cap_total_top51/dir/desc

 

Issues:

 

1) The Bills are going to have to pay 6 void years on those UFAs: 

Matt Milano $11,071,000

Joey Bosa $7,200,000

Connor McGovern $4,805,000

DaQuan Jones $3,724,000

AJ Epenesa $2,861,000

Larry Ogunjobi $2,570,052

-------------------------------

Total: $32,231,052

 

Dunno if you can do much about that except extending and among those only McGovern would be on my radar.

 

If I understand this page, players whose salary exceed their dead cap hit can be cut pre-June 1 for cap savings as follows:

Dawson Knox - $9,664,000 (7,404,000 dead)

Dion Dawkins - $8,805,000 (14,114,833 dead)

Taron Johnson - $6,710,000 (4,350,000 dead)

Curtis Samuel - $6,275,000 (3,450,000 dead)

Taylor Rapp - $3,350,000 (666,667 dead)

Tyler Bass - $2,930,000 (2,040,000 dead)

Ed Oliver - $2,685,000 (21,585,000 dead)

Ty Johnson - $2,205,000 (820,000 dead)

 

The obvious ones are gonna be Knox, Samuel and Bass. Low-impact cuts where you can get a replacement with not much dead cap might be Johnson and Rapp.

[Richard Noggin]

25 minutes ago, Ralonzo said:

 

You're gonna love the number of comp picks in '27...

 

For New England, right?

[JerseyBills]

McGovern is priority #1

[NewEra]

1 hour ago, LEBills said:

Taron is another likely cut next year. 
 

RVD is unlikely to get an RFA tender since the minimum is over $3 mil which would be a lot for an OT4. Anderson may get the minimum tender if they think he is the replacement for Edwards.

 

Cook and McGovern are hopefully resigned soon.

Think there’s any chance that RVD is OT3?  I say that with the thought of possibly Grable transitioning inside to start at RG or LG.  Unlikely, but just a thought.  I don’t see us paying Torrance 20M aav.  McGovern could demand close to that.   If Edwards plays well he could demand 10M  or more.  He’ll be 29 chasing a first big payday.  
 

That said, I love the depth of this unit, especially the.potential our backups.  I think Alec Anderson, Lundt and SVP could all take their game to the next level, partially due to the amount of competition.  
 

It’s difficult to keep 5 talented OLmen together.  The IOL could change drastically in 2026.  Could Grable be in the mix?  I see the depth of IOL to be his biggest obstacle 

[BillsFanForever19]

3 hours ago, SoonerBillsFan said:

There, that should be the true list.

 

True list in guys they'll look to retain? Because even with the guys that are on the list that likely won't be here this season, there's still many other players you didn't list that whether they're here or not in 2026 - they will be here this year and their roster spots will need to be replaced.  

 

2 hours ago, LEBills said:

Taron is another likely cut next year. 
 

RVD is unlikely to get an RFA tender since the minimum is over $3 mil which would be a lot for an OT4. Anderson may get the minimum tender if they think he is the replacement for Edwards.

 

Cook and McGovern are hopefully resigned soon.

 

I wouldn't call it likely. He'd have to fall off a cliff and one of Hancock or Strong would REALLY have to impress right out of the gate. I think it's a lot to ask for a Late 5th Round or High 6th Round Draft Pick to replace a 2023 2nd Team All Pro in one season. 

Edited 6 hours ago by BillsFanForever19

[BillsFanForever19]

2 hours ago, Ralonzo said:

Here's the Spotrac link for 2026: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/cap/_/year/2026/sort/cap_total_top51/dir/desc

 

Issues:

 

1) The Bills are going to have to pay 6 void years on those UFAs: 

Matt Milano $11,071,000

Joey Bosa $7,200,000

Connor McGovern $4,805,000

DaQuan Jones $3,724,000

AJ Epenesa $2,861,000

Larry Ogunjobi $2,570,052

-------------------------------

Total: $32,231,052

 

Dunno if you can do much about that except extending and among those only McGovern would be on my radar.

 

If I understand this page, players whose salary exceed their dead cap hit can be cut pre-June 1 for cap savings as follows:

Dawson Knox - $9,664,000 (7,404,000 dead)

Dion Dawkins - $8,805,000 (14,114,833 dead)

Taron Johnson - $6,710,000 (4,350,000 dead)

Curtis Samuel - $6,275,000 (3,450,000 dead)

Taylor Rapp - $3,350,000 (666,667 dead)

Tyler Bass - $2,930,000 (2,040,000 dead)

Ed Oliver - $2,685,000 (21,585,000 dead)

Ty Johnson - $2,205,000 (820,000 dead)

 

The obvious ones are gonna be Knox, Samuel and Bass. Low-impact cuts where you can get a replacement with not much dead cap might be Johnson and Rapp.

 

Yeah, I think Knox, Samuel, and Bass are likely to be cut. I'd add Taylor Rapp to the list too. Everyone else, I don't see as very likely. 

[Steve Billieve]

Would be nice to bring Edwards back, personally I think it will happen

[LABILLBACKER]

I thought Hamlin, Lewis and Gilliam have lifetime contracts?

[Redblood]

8 hours ago, Not at the table Karlos said:

Most of those UFAs are gonna be gone. 

Yeah i dont see us keeping many

[Redblood]

Wow. Some very key pieces on that list! These rookies better hit

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Bring back Cook and McGovern. Maybe Bosa on a two year deal if he stays healthy this year.  Everyone else can go including Milano.