With the 2026 free agency period closing in, the Buffalo Bills have their hands full. A new coaching staff makes designs on their dream players, but some aren't in the pool just yet.
Many players will be free agents this offseason who are currently contracted through 2026, or beyond. These potential cut candidates could make the Bills very happy.
Potential free agents Bills must keep a close eye on
WR Brandon Aiyuk - San Francisco 49ers
Starting out with the obvious, Brandon Aiyuk has played his last snap as a 49er. General manager John Lynch said as much last month, and we can expect a trade or cut as soon as it's viable. Aiyuk isn't the most desirable trade candidate, but the 49ers will want something in exchange. If they can't get it, Aiyuk is ideal for the Bills.
He is a year and a half removed from his ACL tear, but the injury wasn't why the 49ers want him gone. He left the team and stopped communicating during his recovery, and had his contract guarantees voided as a result. It may have been a harsh measure, or justified- We won't know. What we do know is that Aiyuk's injury came right after he became one of the top-paid receivers in the NFL. He earned that money by paying for it in talent.
The Buffalo Bills need that talent, if they're willing to take on the risk. Aiyuk won't have played in an NFL game in nearly two seasons by September, and his injury puts him into question, but he'll also only be 28 this season.
That also plays into his contract, as signing him post-cut would be a cheaper endeavor. Teams that need help at WR aren't contending, Buffalo is. Wideouts that have great skill command top-level contracts, Aiyuk doesn't. A match made in something close to heaven. There is potential for him to revolutionize this offense as WR1.
DE Rashan Gary - Green Bay Packers
Rashan Gary is expensive for the Green Bay Packers, and hasn't produced to the level he was expected following his $96m contract extension. He's posted 7.5 sacks in both the past two seasons- Good performances but far too costly.
The Pack have enough talent in the pass rush to let him go and put their resources elsewhere. They get to save $11m this season by cutting him at the start of the new league year, or $19.5m with a post-June 1st designation. Buffalo needs help, and Gary won't break the bank this time around. The Bills should keep his agent on speed dial, just in case.
WR Michael Pittman Jr. - Indianapolis Colts
Michael Pittman Jr. is a highly competent wide receiver for the Colts, but also pricey. His $29m cap his this season is 6th-highest of all WRs, in a season where his teammate may become one of the highest-paid players in the game.
Alec Pierce hopes to stay with the Colts, making Pittman not just expensive, but an obstacle. They save a whopping $24m but cutting him as soon as possible. Buffalo, as stated before, are desperate for WR help. The Bills can use Pittman, who has 24 touchdowns and almost 5000 yards over his past five seasons. This cut is expected, assuming the Colts truly give Alec Pierce the offer he deserves.
OLB Uchenna Nwosu - Seattle Seahawks
It would seem almost impossible to cut Uchenna Nwosu immediately following his lockdown performance in their Super Bowl win. Still, the Seahawks can save over $12m by releasing him, and Nwosu is on the final year of his deal.
Buffalo will need help at OLB, with Matt Milano hitting free agency and a new 3-4 defense being installed by Jim Leonhard. This one is less likely, as Seattle doesn't necessarily have to move on, but there's plenty of offseason to enact change.
G Ben Powers - Denver Broncos
The Bills currently don't have a left guard. Ben Powers has a younger, cheaper player pushing for his role. The Denver Broncos have roughly $26m in salary cap room and the hopes to return to the AFC Championship this season, or maybe more. Cutting Ben Powers after an injury cost him most of this season feels like a done deal. Releasing Powers can save them $8m-$12m, depending on when, substantially improving their spending power. The Bills want security in their offensive line development, as an unproven player takes over at centre. Powers is that man.
DE Patrick Jones Jr. - Carolina Panthers
A solid contributor that the Bills could use at defensive end, Patrick Jones Jr. would be a good addition. The Panthers have less than $10m in spending money this offseason, and moving on from Jones would save them nearly another $5m.
His stats won't blow anyone away, but picking him up post-release would help bolster the depth and take some pressure off the Bills in the draft in April. He's just one season removed from a seven-sack showing; That potential is worthy of a one-year contract.