The Bills have a very simple solution to free up some much-needed cap space heading into the new league year
He just needs to go.
The Buffalo Bills are in desperate need to clean up some cap space. Over The Cap has Buffalo sitting at about negative $7.5m in cap space heading into the 2026 season, which is near the bottom of the entire league. The only teams in worse standing are the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, and the Kansas City Chiefs.
While there are some easy paths to getting back to cap compliant, like restructuring the contracts of both quarterback Josh Allen and offensive tackle Dion Dawkins, there are still other moves to be made to save some much-needed space heading into the new year.
One of the ways the team can get compliant nearly immediately would be to cut wide receiver Curtis Samuel. If Buffalo were to cut the veteran receiver, it would save about $6 million in cap space, which would be nearly enough on its own for the team to become compliant.
Curtis Samuel has struggled during his time in Buffalo
Injuries have plagued Samuel’s career in Buffalo, with perhaps his best moment as a Buffalo Bill coming in the 2024 playoffs against the Denver Broncos, where he scored a touchdown. Outside of that, his career in Buffalo has been virtually non-existent.
In March 2024, Buffalo signed Samuel to a three-year, $24 million contract that was worth up to $30 million with $15 in guaranteed money. It was an offseason, much like this one, where Buffalo was trying to get some key help for quarterback Josh Allen. Fast forward to today, and his contract is one of the worst on the team, maybe only second in the receiving room to Josh Palmer, who had injury issues during his first season with the Bills as well.
Samuel was coming off back-to-back seasons with 60+ catches with four touchdowns in both 2022 and 2023 before joining Buffalo. In two seasons with Buffalo, he’s appeared in 20 games and has 38 receptions for 334 yards and two touchdowns. Not exactly what you were hoping when signing a player to $15 million in guaranteed money.
It’s simple: the Bills need to cut Samuel and save the money.
The Buffalo Bills can’t afford sentiment right now, not with the cap where it is and not with a new regime trying to reshape the roster. Joe Brady needs flexibility, Brandon Beane needs room to maneuver, and Josh Allen needs weapons who can actually stay on the field and produce.
Samuel wasn’t a swing that didn’t connect; it happens, but doubling down would be a mistake.
If Buffalo is serious about turning the page and giving this team a real shot in 2026, this is one of the easiest, cleanest decisions they can make. Free the $6 million. Reset the room. Move forward.
Buffalo Bills News
Bills get a massive win over the Patriots in the AFC, making their loss in Super Bowl LX sting even worse
Buffalo found a way to get a win over New England on its day off.
