The Buffalo Bills begin the new league year in a much brighter situation financially. Josh Allen’s contract has been restructured, opening up an extra $12 million in cap space for 2026. Initially, the much more exciting number of $40 million was floated, but some math got lost in translation.
Allen’s contract restructure, more so, helps the team ensure that they are cap compliant, allowing the franchise to push through the trade for D.J. Moore when the new league year rolls over. Moore’s contract can then be restructured to open up $17.7 million by converting his 2026 salary to a signing bonus.
Still, the Bills aren’t out of the woods just yet financially. Without a firm number on Dawson Knox’s cap hit, it’s impossible to provide a concrete number for what cap space the Bills have before the new league year begins at 4 p.m., though it should sit somewhere in the $30 million range. With plenty of holes to fill defensively, the Bills aren’t exactly set up to shoot for the moon on the remaining free agents.
Bills could turn to these value signings next
Most of the big-name free agents have already been scooped up during the legal tampering period early this week. But Buffalo is still going to need to sign a handful of players, particularly on defense. So, let’s take a quick look at some potential, realistic targets the Bills might have on their radar once their cap space is clearer.
Cardinals WR Greg Dortch
The Bills shouldn’t be done at wide receiver after D.J. Moore. But their options are certainly dwindling to add someone with meaningful experience to the offense. Cardinals wideout Greg Dortch flashed at times in Arizona, but the offense’s limitations made it difficult for him to ever truly break out.
That said, a push to sign Dortch is going to feel familiar to the pursuits of Curtis Samuel and Josh Palmer if the contract is too heavy. Dortch hasn’t proven he’s worth that just yet. He played on a restricted free agent contract last season worth $3.26 million, but Over the Cap projects his annual value at just $1.38 million. Buffalo could feasibly land him on a two-year deal around $2 million per year, a competitive offer if other teams are as interested as they appear to be.
If Dortch is brought on, he’d have to compete for a roster spot. But if he could push Josh Palmer out of the building, then that would do some good for the Bills' pocketbook next offseason.
Chiefs EDGE Mike Danna
The Bills gave Trey Hendrickson a ring, but, thankfully, the bizarre hours in the Baltimore Ravens/Maxx Crosby saga resulted in the 31-year-old pass rusher staying in the AFC North. Unfortunately, though, Hendrickson is one of many pass rushers the Bills have missed out on already.
Mike Danna from Kansas City stands as one of the best options available, and he shouldn’t prove to be too expensive. His last contract was a three-year deal worth $24 million, which he saw $14 million of in two seasons before being released earlier this offseason. A two-year, $10 million deal should get Buffalo in the door to land his services.
Of course, with just 4.5 sacks over the last two seasons, Danna isn’t solving the edge issue alone. If Danna is the best option, Buffalo will be forced to find an edge in the NFL Draft, which isn’t the worst-case scenario by any means. Danna would at least offer Buffalo some veteran reliability at the spot with a working rotation.
Cowboys LB Jack Sanborn
The Bills haven’t yet found their answer at inside linebacker next to Terrel Bernard. While re-signing Matt Milano or Shaq Thompson isn’t out of the question just yet, the Bills do need a younger option to serve as depth if that turns out to be the play.
Former Texans linebacker Christian Harris was in this spot before it was announced that he’d signed with the Atlanta Falcons. So, we pivot to Jack Sanborn, who played his college ball at Wisconsin while defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard was with the Badgers’ program.
Sanborn played on a one-year, $1.5 million deal for Dallas last season. He turned in one of his quietest seasons yet, thanks to injury, first a concussion, then a groin injury that put him on injured reserve.
Sanborn won’t cost any more than he did for Dallas last offseason, but seeing that he turns 26 this offseason and played well for Dallas before he was hurt, it could be a sneaky-good pairing if he comes up to Buffalo to rejoin Leonhard’s defense.