The Buffalo Bills have decided to move on from a defensive cornerstone of former head coach Sean McDermott, with a report by Jeremy Fowler stating One Bills Drive is set to release nickel cornerback Taron Johnson after eight seasons. The move will save the Bills $8.76 million in available cash for the 2026 NFL season.
Buffalo selected Johnson in the fourth round (pick 121 overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft, and watched him go on to become a shutdown cornerback who helped usher in the “Buffalo Nickel” defense so integral to McDermott’s system. Injuries appeared to take their toll on Johnson in recent seasons, both affecting his availability and ability on the field.
In eight seasons and 117 regular-season games, Johnson’s linebacker mentality and ballhawking nature saw him claim 572 tackles (411 solo), 23 tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, six interceptions (for 80 yards), two interception touchdowns, 48 pass defenses, eight forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and one fumble touchdown (per Pro Football Reference). Johnson’s signature Bills play will always be the 101-yard touchdown he claimed after intercepting Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during the 2020 playoffs.
In recent weeks, Johnson was discussed by new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard as a talented player who he saw capable of playing any position in the defensive backfield, including a potential shift to safety. With the Bills expected to switch to a base 3-4 defensive system under Leonhard, many wondered how and if Johnson’s days as Buffalo’s nickel cornerback were numbered.
