The Buffalo Bills have dug themselves an even deeper financial hole since trading a second round pick in order to acquire wide receiver D.J. Moore.
And the latest cap casualty for the team is one of their longest serving players, former 4th round pick and long-time starting nickel cornerback Taron Johnson.
The Bills announced on Friday that the team would be parting ways with Johnson, who has spent eight years with the organization, per Ari Meirov.
Bills Move off Slot Cornerback Taron Johnson
“The Bills are releasing CB Taron Johnson, who has been with the team for eight years and was recently called one of the most underrated players in the NFL by Aaron Rodgers.” Meirov posted on X.
Johnson was originally selected by the Bills back in 2018 before signing a contract extension in 2021 for three years and $24 million, along with another three year deal in 2024 worth just over $30 million that ran through 2027.
The Weber State alum has been a mainstay on Buffalo’s defense since his sophomore season in the NFL, which saw him play in 13 games and start 7, recording 50 tackles, 1 sack and 5 pass deflections.
The 29-year old, who turns 30 in July, had an excellent career in the North East that was no doubt highlighted by a spectacular goal-line pick-six against the Baltimore Ravens in their 2020 Divisional Round matchup.
He also made the second-team All-Pro as a slot cornerback for the 2023 season, which was soon followed by his second contract extension.
By cutting Johnson, the Bills save $1.9 million in cap space and incur a $9.5 million dead cap hit.
Why Did the Bills Cut Taron Johnson?
Johnson had a decent season in 2025, even if it did not reach the level of his All-Pro prime from a couple of years prior, garnering a 60.5 grade from Pro Football Focus.
And by releasing him the Bills save less than $2 million against the salary cap in 2026. In comparison, cutting tight end Dawson Knox would have saved the franchise nearly $10 million – so why did the team move on from Johnson, who remains a talented player and strong, veteran locker room presence.
Much of this comes down to the change in defensive scheme: New defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard took over the reins as the captain on defense after the firing of former head coach Sean McDermott.
Leonhard does not tend to utilize a full-time slot cornerback in his 3-4 scheme, preferring instead to roll with the more traditional four defensive backs; two outside corners and two safeties.
As a result there was no clear starting role for an inside corner who was previously averaging 70% of snaps on defense, although his per-game utilization rate went as high as 98% in 2025.
General manager Brandon Beane spoke about the situation last month whilst at the NFL Scouting Combine.
“We’re still figuring those pieces out, how they’ll use him.” Beane said at the combine. “How much will he be on the field in Jim’s defense? We played him damn near 90 percent. Those are the conversations.”
And now it seems like the piece has been figured out, and that he will be playing for another, more nickel-friendly defensive scheme in 2026.
Bills Cut ‘Underrated’ All-Pro After Eight Years of Service