Buffalo Bills Free Agents 2026: Who Stays, Who Goes?
March is upon us with the new league year starting in less than two weeks. The Buffalo Bills entered the offseason with 23 players set to hit free agency, 21 unrestricted and two restricted free agents. Per Spotrac, they are about $8 million over the cap with the recent restructuring of Spencer Brown’s contract and a handful of signings. They have some work to do before 4 PM on March 11th to become cap compliant.
Here, I will identify players who have already been re-signed, players I would like back in Buffalo if the price is right, players I am indifferent about, and players I think they should move on from. I use Spotrac’s market value projections for the salary numbers each player is expected to command. I will update players who re-signed as they are announced, with the contract details available.
Running It Back: Bills Free Agents Who Re-signed
Alec Anderson - signed a 1-year/$2,500,000 contract, including a $500,000 signing bonus and $1,800,000 guaranteed,
Phidarian Mathis - signed a 1-year/$1,195,000 contract, including $25,000 guaranteed
Sam Franklin - signed a 3-year/$7,500,000 contract
Free Agent Priorities: Make The Numbers Work
Brandin Cooks - Cooks is projected to have a $3 million AAV. His limited time in Buffalo showed flashes of promise, giving the offense a vertical threat they have lacked over the past two seasons. If Cooks is happy to come back around that number, the Bills should re-sign him. Cooks with an FA addition and early round draft pick would be strong additions to the WR room.
Reggie Gilliam - Gilliam has spent his entire career with the Bills and has played a vital role in the success of the running game. He played the 2025 season on a 1-year/$2 million deal. I expect something similar again unless he is looking for a long-term deal and gets poached by another offense that utilizes the FB role, i.e., Baltimore.
Connor McGovern - McGovern is on the record that he took less money to come to Buffalo and won’t be doing that this time in free agency. I find it hard to see how Edwards and McGovern return with their predicted contract figures. I do think McGovern should be prioritized over Edwards based on the chemistry he has with Josh Allen. McGovern is projected to get a new deal in the $16 million AAV range. Unfortunately, there are a lot of teams with needs at the position that could drive the price up.
Tough Calls: Depends on the Price
David Edwards is a great offensive lineman, but his pricetag on the open market has taken him out of consideration for returning to the Bills next season. He came to Buffalo as a reserve in 2023 and was re-signed to a two-year, $6 million extension, during which he overachieved and outperformed his contract. He’s now projected to get a new deal with an AAV north of $19 million. I have to think the Bills re-signing Alec Anderson and having Tylan Grable in the pipeline could also play a role in this decision.
Shaq Thompson - Thompson wants to be a starter; the Bills have a need at LB. He looked like he turned back the clock in 2025 with the Bills. Can he stay healthy and replicate that in a 3-4 style defense? This is a good option if the Bills don’t like the price tags on the FA market.
Tre'Davious White - Another player who looked to be returning to their old form as the season went on. I love Tre White and would like to see him back if the price is right. I am curious if he wants to be back with the departure of McDermott.
Jordan Poyer - If Poyer wants to come back at the veteran minimum, I am all for it. It’s hard to discredit the development we saw in Cole Bishop last season when Poyer moved into the starting lineup. Bring Poyer in for a backup role to help continue that development and mentor the guy lining up next to him. Whether that’s Taron Johnson, a draft pick, or a FA signee, Poyer’s knowledge and experience are invaluable.
Cam Lewis - Lewis may have been a McDermott guy, but it’s hard to devalue the versatility he provided in spot start and backup duty at CB and Safety. I don’t know if he’s a fit for the new system, or maybe he will want a chance at more playing time elsewhere, with the uncertainty of the new coaching staff that came in.
Mitch Trubisky and Ryan Van Demark are two players who serve valuable roles, and I expect them to be back, but the numbers will need to work. Trubisky is projected at $4.4 mill AAV, so I assume he will be back, but if he wants a chance to be a starter again, he will have options given the current state of multiple teams. Van Demark is the only RFA remaining, so the Bills have the opportunity to tender him, but it is unlikely. If he is open to a backup role and the veteran minimum, it would be nice to see him back.
Gabe Davis - Davis is most likely out for the season, so there won’t be a rush to re-sign him by other NFL teams. I’m not opposed to signing him to the practice squad, similar to last season, to allow him to rehab and possibly be a late-season call-up if injuries strike again.
Roster Reset: Veterans the Bills Should Let Walk
A.J. Epenesa and Matt Milano - two players drafted and developed by the Bills who should explore opportunities elsewhere. Epenesa is a good rotational piece but may do better with a change of scenery. It’s unfortunate that Milano has dealt with the injuries he’s suffered since his All-Pro season. A lot of “what-ifs” when describing his career in Buffalo. I don’t think he is done playing, but I do not expect him to be back with the Bills in 2026. Epenesa has a market value of $6.5 million while Milano’s is between $4-5 million.
Damar Hamlin and Darnell Savage - Hamlin could use a change of scenery, especially if he wants to be a starter. Savage really never saw the field, and I don’t expect a new coaching staff to bring him back.
Joey Bosa and Larry Ogunjobi - two relatively disappointing free agent signings that are not worthy of the money they are projected to get this offseason, especially Ogunjobi. Bosa flashed early for the Bills but disappeared after the Steelers game last season. Both have high market values of $13.7 million and $5 million, respectively. Way too high for the production they showed last season.
DaQuan Jones and Jordan Phillips - two aging DTs that I do not expect back in Buffalo. I expect Phillips will retire. Jones has a low market value of $1.7 million and will most likely get a chance elsewhere. He made some comments on social media after the season that led me to believe he has moved on from the team.
Matt Prater and Mitch Wishnowsky - Two guys who came into Buffalo last season due to injuries and did their jobs at a high level. The expectation is that Tyler Bass will be healthy for 2026, so it's safe to assume that Prater will not be returning to the team unless something changes with Bass. Wishnowsky is at a position the Bills will want to be cheaper at, so I am expecting a late-round draft pick or UDFA to fill this position.
