The Buffalo Bills have created an extra $1.75 million in 2025 salary cap space by restructuring the contract for nickel cornerback Taron Johnson on Monday, November 3. The Bills reportedly converted Johnson’s 2025 base salary into a signing bonus, which allowed for that extra cap savings.
It’s a move by general manager Brandon Beane and One Bills Drive that may allow the team to make moves ahead of the NFL trade deadline on November 4. Recently here at Buffalo Rumblings, Sara Larson outlined options the Bills might have to restructure contracts for several players, with Johnson among those potential moves.
It remains to be seen what other moves, if any at all, are made in the next half day to further add salary cap space in pursuit of a potential trade. The Bills have several needs, with injuries taking a significant toll on defense, plus a clear need to find another option at boundary wide receiver.
With the news that defensive end Michael Hoecht has been placed on Injured Reserve (IR) with a season-ending Achilles tear, perhaps the team makes a play to add someone new to the unique role “55” played as a defensive X-factor. There’s also a need at defensive tackle, where several players are now on IR, including starting three-tech Ed Oliver. One options some have mentioned is calling the New York Jets about defensive tackle Harrison Phillips. He’s not a direct replacement for Oliver, but he is someone with a history playing for the Bills.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is the most popular name bandied about in trade talks. He’s currently dealing with an ankle injury, and now rookie wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter is on IR. That may mean any potential deal for Thomas is now a moot point. There are of course other options to consider at wide receiver, namely Jakobi Meyers (Las Vegas Raiders), plus Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed (New Orleans Saints).