2 Buffalo Bills players that could be salary cap casualties in 2025

Von Miller

One player that the fanbase had their eyes on all of last season, this off-season, and surely into next season is Von Miller, who just restructured his contract in time for free agency a couple of months ago. Miller took a huge pay cut to remain with the team in 2024, and it frees the Bills to release him if they choose to. If they do decide to release Von, Spotrac projects the Bills to save $8 million in cap space. After drafting Javon Solomon, who may be one of the most refined pass rushers in the draft, the Bills may have the best defensive end depth they have had in a long time, and that’s saying a lot. When you look at this room, there’s a good mix of veterans and young risers who have a lot to give this team. 

Two of those risers are AJ Epenesa, who just got a nice lucrative contract, and Greg Rousseau, who just had his fifth-year option picked up. The Bills may decide after this season that they want to see what their young players can bring to the defense. To maximize the value of the Epenesa extension, the Bills could consider transitioning him to a full-time starter. This would require careful evaluation to ensure Greg Rousseau's long-term potential justifies a potentially expensive contract extension.

Dawson Knox

Unlike Miller, this isn’t a case of “we drafted so many players behind you and you’re failing us”. as much as this is a “you’re not living up to your contract and we can’t afford to keep paying you this” issue. The Bills gave Knox a three-year, $29.5 million extension before the 2022 season. And after dealing with injuries in 2023, his contract, and inability to stay on the field for a good portion of the season, had many Bills fans upset.

The Bills drafted Dalton Kincaid in the first round last year, and under Ken Dorsey had trouble finding a role for both of them to stay on the field. Despite a mid-season offensive coordinator change, Dawson Knox's involvement remained limited. He primarily functioned as a blocker or decoy in many formations. As the Bills try and figure out life without Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis this season, Dawson Knox is going to have to step up now with 241 extra targets up for grabs this year. If Knox still cannot get into the swing of things this year, the Bills may scrap the two tight end sets idea and save $4.5 million by releasing Knox with a post June-1st designation, as Spotrac projects.