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Bills Cut All-Pro Taron Johnson and Safety Taylor Rapp as Secondary Overhaul Begins

The moves reflect Buffalo’s shift to Jim Leonhard’s 3–4 defense that de-emphasizes nickel personnel.

Overview

  • The team confirmed the departures on Friday, accelerating a broad roster reset days before free agency opens on March 11.
  • ESPN reports Buffalo is not using a post–June 1 designation for Taron Johnson, whose release saves about $1.9 million, while Taylor Rapp’s exit frees roughly $3 million.
  • The cap reshuffle also included wide receiver Curtis Samuel and cornerback Dane Jackson, with ESPN citing just over $7.9 million in savings from Johnson and Samuel together.
  • Johnson, 29, leaves after eight seasons, 87 starts and a 2023 Second-Team All-Pro nod, with recent injuries and a 2025 dip in production noted across reports.
  • The cuts follow this week’s trade for wide receiver D.J. Moore, a move that added cost on offense and signaled a reallocation of resources before additional secondary moves in free agency.