With the NFL’s legal tampering period beginning Monday at 12:00 PM EST, the Buffalo Bills are looking for ways to create cap space. Buffalo has already started by releasing pass rusher Von Miller on Sunday, and punter Sam Martin on Thursday. Those moves created around $10M in cap space, and the handful of extensions they’ve handed out helped spread out some money as well.
However, they still need to clear some more cap space to be active this week. Spotrac has the Bills above the salary cap by $864k before Greg Rousseau’s extension, so the Bills still have a way to go to be able to spend this week. So who could they look to get rid of? Let’s take a look at some players who may not be on the team much longer.
Release quarterback Mitch Trubisky
The Bills signed Mitch Trubisky to a two-year, $5.2 M deal last season, and releasing him now would save the team another $2.5M in cap space, per Spotrac. Buffalo can find a cheaper backup to Josh Allen and use that money toward a position of need. Allen doesn’t miss many games, no matter how severe his injury is. Having an expensive backup like Trubisky doesn’t make too much sense for Buffalo, and they can find a quality backup at a cheaper contract.
Trade cornerback Kaiir Elam
Keeping Elam around at this point doesn’t make sense for either side. Buffalo can wash their hands clean of Elam, while he gets a fresh start elsewhere. Elam is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Bills know by now that he’s not worth keeping as a depth option. Trading Elam before June 1st saves the Bills $2.5M in cap space, according to Spotrac. With a plethora of talented cornerbacks who are available in free agency and the draft helps Buffalo move on from their former first-round pick.
Cornerback is a position to watch in Buffalo whether or not Elam is still on the roster. Trading Elam and getting some of his contract back is the best possible outcome left. At 23 years old, Elam can still be a good corner, but it won’t be in Buffalo.
Release linebacker Baylon Spector
The Bills seem pretty happy with their current linebacker group, minus Spector. With Matt Milano back and fully healthy entering the 2025 season, and Joe Andreessen looking like a nice depth player, the Bills are set at the position.
Releasing Spector saves Buffalo $1.1M, according to Spotrac, and allows the Bills more flexibility to add on defense. With other positions, such as cornerback and pass rush, considered weaker, this allows the Bills to bring in more talent, and give their better linebackers more opportunities.