Buffalo Bills fans knew the team was going to be tight against the NFL’s salary cap in 2021, and general manager Brandon Beane made a trio of roster moves Wednesday to get the team some salary cap relief.
In today’s edition of the Bills daily links, we dissect the news that Buffalo parted ways with veteran wide receiver John Brown and veteran defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson while restructuring the contract of defensive tackle Vernon Butler. We examine how much cap space the moves cleared, and assess how much money the Bills now have to spend on free agency to address the holes on the roster.
We also delve into the big contract extension Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott signed to see what impact the deal could have on a possible contract extension for Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen, discuss whether the Bills should turn to free agency for an upgrade at tight end and the backup quarterback position, learn what the fifth-year player options will cost for Allen and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, and more!
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Buffalo Bills release John Brown, Quinton Jefferson - Buffalo Rumblings
Two veterans headed to free agency as the team trims payroll.
Buffalo Bills restructure DT Vernon Butler’s contract - Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills on Wednesday restructured defensive tackle Vernon Butler’s contract, saving some salary cap space in the same way they did with center Mitch Morse on Tuesday.
As expected, Buffalo Bills don’t earn compensatory picks in 2021 - Buffalo Rumblings
No big free-agent losses.
Ranking the Buffalo Bills’ 2021 offensive needs - Buffalo Rumblings
Tier-ranking what positions Buffalo needs to focus on this offseason.
Q&A: My complete Buffalo Bills offseason plan, from salary cap to free agency to the NFL Draft - Buffalo Rumblings
Salary cap, free agency, the draft, and beyond.
BBR: Dawson Knox, Cody Ford, the young Bills, a lesson in patience - Buffalo Rumblings
Plus more on Ed Oliver and Devin Singletary, too
NFL announces salary cap for 2021 season - Buffalo Rumblings
The league set the 2021 number at $182.5 million.
Additional Bills news from the web
Bills release veterans John Brown and Quinton Jefferson
Bills cut John Brown, Quinton Jefferson - Democrat & Chronicle
The Bills began creating salary cap space Wednesday by releasing veterans John Brown and Quinton Jefferson.
Bills release WR John Brown, DL Quinton Jefferson | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“By cutting Brown, the Bills save $7.9 million in salary cap space, while Jefferson’s departure cuts $6.5 million from the Bills’ cap,” writes Vic Carucci.
Bills release John Brown and Quinton Jefferson - WGR 550
“The Buffalo Bills announced on Wednesday that the team has released wide receiver John Brown and defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson,” writes Sal Capaccio.
Buffalo Bills release WR John Brown, DL Quinton Jefferson - ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog
The Buffalo Bills released wide receiver John Brown and defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson on Wednesday in moves to clear salary cap space.
Bills release John Brown and Quinton Jefferson, Vernon Butler agrees to reduced deal - newyorkupstate.com
The Bills, like many teams, are attempting to free up cap space ahead of free agency.
WR John Brown, DL Quinton Jefferson released - BuffaloBills.com
The Bills released wide receiver John Brown and defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson on Wednesday afternoon.
Bills free agency latest news, grades and analysis: John Brown released – The Athletic
“As the league year approaches, the Bills have already started making moves to get more salary cap space to play with in the coming weeks,” write Matthew Fairburn and Joe Buscaglia. (Subscription required).
How much cap space does Buffalo have?
How much cap space do Bills have after releasing John Brown & other moves? - newyorkupstate.com
The salary cap is officially set at $182.5 million for the 2021 season.
12 Bills free agency thoughts after release of John Brown & Quinton Jefferson - newyorkupstate.com
Bills currently have roughly $20 million in cap space.
Now that NFL cap is set, Bills currently stand about $17 million under | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
The Bills and every other NFL team will be making more moves over the next week to create cap space before the start of the free agency.
What impact will Dak Prescott’s deal have on a possible Josh Allen extension?
What does Dak Prescott’s deal mean for Josh Allen’s next contract? Bills mailbag – The Athletic
Matthew Fairburn answers readers’ Bills questions heading into free agency. (Subscription required).
Is free agency the answer for upgrading at backup QB?
Will the Bills upgrade at backup QB in free agency? - Democrat & Chronicle
Current backup QB Matt Barkley is scheduled to hit free agency next week. Should the Bills re-sign him or find someone else to replace him?
How to upgrade at tight end via free agency
Bills free agents: Starting-caliber tight ends are available if Bills are willing to spend | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“Of all positions on the Buffalo Bills’ roster, tight end figures to be the one that has the greatest chance of an extreme makeover this offseason,” writes Jay Skurski.
Odds and ends
Allen, Edmunds fifth-year option amounts set - WGR 550
“The National Football League has announced the amounts it will cost teams to pick up the fifth-year options for the 2022 season for players selected in the first round of the 2018 draft,” writes Sal Capaccio.
Bills Today | Tremaine Edmunds puts this letter grade on his career thus far - BuffaloBills.com
Here are three things to know about the Bills for Thursday, March 11.
The Bills’ under-the-radar decision deadline? March 21, roster bonus day – The Athletic
On March 21, the Bills have almost $6.7 million in roster bonuses that are due and will subsequently lock into their 2021 cap figure. (Subscription required).
‘Growth Mindset’ traces Bills’ path to AFC championship game | Buffalo Bills News | NFL | buffalonews.com
“‘Growth Mindset’ is a 30-minute digital documentary that will air at 7 p.m. Thursday on the team’s YouTube channel and then again at 6:30 p.m. Saturday on WIVB-TV Ch. 4,” writes Jay Skurski.