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New York Jets running back Breece Hall making a play during a game against the Buffalo Bills.
The Buffalo Bills face several crucial decisions this offseason, and they may be looking to release a few players before the new league year kicks off on March 11.
Bills Urged to Move on From Taylor Rapp
Buffalo needs to find some ways to clear up cap space to add a few key players to their roster this offseason. Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic suggested that cutting safety Taylor Rapp could be a viable option for the Bills.
“Rapp was at his best near the end of the 2024 season, but he took a step back last year and had a season-ending injury,” Buscaglia wrote on Tuesday. “The Bills are probably best to start fresh and find a partner at safety for Cole Bishop. Cutting Rapp would yield a net savings of $2.19 million.”
Rapp signed a three-year contract worth $10.6 million in 2024, but he only managed to play in six games last season due to a knee injury that cut his season short.
The Bills need to carefully consider whether to retain Rapp for another season, as he is entering the final year of his contract. With a cap hit of $3.7 million looming this season, the Bills face a decision: if they choose to part ways with him, they would only be responsible for paying him $666,668.
Rapp struggled to make an impact on the field this past season. Pro Football Focus ranked him 93rd among 98 safeties and placed him 82nd in coverage grade and 96th in run defense grade.
Considering that Rapp hasn’t performed well and is coming off a serious injury, it would likely make the most sense for the Bills to part ways with him.
Buffalo Could be Looking to Make a Big Splash
The Bills are entering a critical season after already making a significant move that signals their determination to move on from the past few years. They parted ways with head coach Sean McDermott and promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to take over as the new head coach.
Buffalo is fed up with losing in the playoffs and missing the Super Bowl. With a strong commitment to making significant moves, this free agency and NFL Draft represent a great opportunity for the Bills to make a big impact.
If the Bills decide to part ways with a player like Rapp, it could be to create space to acquire a significant player in a trade. It’s no secret that Buffalo needs to land a top-tier wide receiver for Josh Allen, and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown might be a viable option.
Brown carries a $23 million cap hit for the upcoming season, and if the Bills consider trading for him, they would need to surrender a significant amount of draft capital. Moreover, they’d have to create some cap space to make room for Brown. So, if the Bills decide to move on from a few players this offseason, there’s a possibility they might be eyeing a trade for Brown or another high-cap-hit player.
Danny Fisher Is a football journalist covering the Buffalo Bills for Heavy.com. He has covered the NFL for Gridiron Heroics, focusing on the AFC and Penn State football for Nittany Central. More about Danny Fisher
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