Trending Now - Buffalo Bills Release CB Taron Johnson and Two Others

WHO:

Buffalo Bills

Taron Johnson, cornerback

Taylor Rapp, safety

Curtis Samuel, wide receiver

Dane Jackson, cornerback

Jim Leonhard, new defensive coordinator

Brandon Beane, president of football operations and general manager

Jeremy Fowler, ESPN reporter

Adam Schefter, ESPN reporter

WHAT:

The Buffalo Bills released Taron Johnson, Taylor Rapp, Curtis Samuel, and Dane Jackson on Friday, March 6, 2026.

Johnson played 13 games and made 8 starts in 2025, logging 57 tackles, 4 passes defensed, and 1 tackle for loss.

Over his 8-season career with the Bills, Johnson recorded 572 tackles, 48 passes defensed, 23 tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, 8 forced fumbles, 6 interceptions, and 3 fumble recoveries.

Johnson was selected in the 4th round of the 2018 NFL Draft, 121st overall.

Rapp logged 158 tackles, 8 passes defensed, 3 interceptions, 3 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 quarterback hit, and a half-sack over 36 games and 24 starts with the Bills.

Rapp was placed on injured reserve on October 24, 2025, due to a knee injury.

Samuel caught 38 passes for 334 yards and 2 touchdowns in 20 regular-season games with the Bills.

Jackson appeared in 3 regular-season games and 2 postseason games in 2025-26, recording 4 tackles across 5 games.

The combined releases will save the Bills just over $7.9 million in cap space (approximately $6 million from Samuel and $1.9 million from Johnson).

WHERE:

Buffalo, New York

WHEN:

Releases occurred on Friday, March 6, 2026.

Rapp was placed on injured reserve on October 24, 2025.

Johnson was drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft.

WHY:

The Bills are working to become cap compliant before the start of the league year.

The team is shifting to a different defensive philosophy from a 4-3 base to a 3-4 under new coordinator Jim Leonhard.

HOW:

The Bills will not designate Johnson as a post-June 1 release, which would have saved them nearly $7 million more.

On Friday, March 6, 2026, the Buffalo Bills made significant roster changes by releasing cornerback Taron Johnson, safety Taylor Rapp, wide receiver Curtis Samuel, and cornerback Dane Jackson, moves that will save the team just over $7.9 million in cap space. Johnson, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, had a solid eight-season career with the Bills, recording 572 tackles and 6 interceptions, while Rapp was placed on injured reserve last October due to a knee injury. These changes come as the Bills aim to become cap compliant and shift their defensive strategy under new coordinator Jim Leonhard, moving from a 4-3 base to a 3-4 alignment.