The Buffalo Bills have some work to do to not just get under the cap, but also build up some money in order to deliver a solid free agency period. Since the firing of Sean McDermott, there have been many changes in the organization.
Joe Brady is now the head coach and he’s already put together his main staff together with OC Pete Carmichael, DC Jim Leonhard, and STC Jeff Rodgers.
Brady has gotten off to a fast start as the new head coach, and now it’s time for Brandon Beane to deliver a big-time offseason through free agency and the draft.
Tom Pelissero reported that the salary cap for 2026 is set to be between $301.2 million to $305.7 million for each team, which is a huge increase. However, even with this increase, teams are still going to have to do some work in order to get under the cap and hope to have a chance to improve their team through free agency.
Each offseason, there are cap casualties and Alex Ballentine from Bleacher Report listed three potential players for each team that could be released due to salary cap issues. With this, we decided to put together a list of players that are on Ballentine’s list that the Bills need to pursue should these players hit the open market.
4 potential cap casualties Bills must keep an eye on in 2026
LB Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago Bears
This is a very familiar face for Bills fans. Tremaine Edmunds was drafted by the Bills 16th overall in 2018, the same draft class (and round) and Josh Allen. Edmunds was the quarterback of the defense and had a great start to his career. However, as time went on, he wasn’t the most dominant player as he once was.
The Bills opted to let Edmunds walk in free agency and put their faith in Terrel Bernard. For the most part, the Bills were right to let Edmunds walk as Bernard has been solid for the most part. At the same time, the Bills are set to lose Matt Milano in free agency and they will need to find a replacement.
With Jim Leonhard coming in now as the defensive coordinator, maybe we will see a good amount of changes to the defense and if Edmunds does indeed get released by Chicago, it would be wise of the Bills to pursue the idea of bringing Edmunds back.
DE Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers
One thing we know about Leonhard’s defense is that it is all about getting after the quarterback fast and often. Both Joey Bosa and A.J. Epenesa are pending free agents, so the Bills are going to need to find potential replacements. With Rashan Gary being listed as a potential candidate to be released, he is someone that Buffalo must prioritize bringing in.
Even though he tore his ACL this past season, Micah Parsons is Green Bay’s best pass rusher and it isn’t even close. Gary is not the worst at all, but he hasn’t been able to produce double digit sacks in a season throughout his career. Maybe a change of scenery could benefit him and Gary would be the type of player who would overcome expectations in Leonhard’s defense.
DT Grover Stewart, Indianapolis Colts
Buffalo must address their run-defense this offseason, somehow and someway. I know that they heavily invested in this defensive line last offseason, but now they will definitely need to add some new players to the defense. Grover Stewart from the Colts would be a solid veteran presence to add to just stop the run.
You have guys like Ed Oliver and Deone Walker who are solid at creating interior pressure against the pass, but the Bills need someone who can take on double teams against the run. Stewart would be a solid addition.
DT Harrison Phillips, New York Jets
Another former Bill, but someone who has been able to thrive outside of Buffalo since leaving. Harrison Phillips joined the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 and he was able to provide a great impact on the field. He was then traded to the New York Jets prior to the start of the 2025 season.
He wasn’t a huge standout player, but he was solid as much as possible considering the mess that the Jets were this season. If the Jets were to move on from Phillips, a reunion between Phillips and Buffalo would make a lot of sense.