ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills are releasing cornerback Taron Johnson and receiver Curtis Samuel in salary cap-cutting moves, a person familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press on Friday.
The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the team had not yet released the information. ESPN first reported the moves, which come as Buffalo needs to shed more than $32 million in payroll to get under the NFL salary
cap once the league’s new year opens next week.
Johnson’s departure is a considerable surprise, given that the 29-year-old was regarded as one of the NFL’s top nickel cornerbacks and discussed as a candidate to shift to a starting safety spot.
A fourth-round pick in the 2018 draft, Johnson had completed his eighth season in Buffalo. He had two years left on a three-year contract extension he signed in 2024 after earning a second-team All-Pro selection.
Johnson had been a starter in Buffalo’s three-cornerback formation since 2020, and was best remembered for scoring on a 101-yard interception return to seal Buffalo’s 17-3 win over Baltimore in the 2020 divisional playoff round. Johnson’s production dipped last season as he was limited to 13 games due to a groin injury.
The Bills defense is also in transition with Jim Leonhard taking over as coordinator. Leonhard was hired as part of Joe Brady’s new staff after Sean McDermott was fired in January.
Samuel had one year left on a three-year contract he signed upon joining the Bills in free agency. The 29-year-old receiver’s tenure with the Bills was hampered due to a series of injuries that limited him to appearing in 20 games over two seasons, and only six last year.
He signed with Buffalo after topping 600 yards receiving in his final two seasons in Washington. Samuel was limited to 38 catches for 334 yards and two touchdowns with the Bills.
His release comes a day after the Bills acquired receiver D.J. Moore in a trade with Chicago.
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