The Bills are clearing house to free up salary cap space.
Buffalo entered 2023 with Super Bowl expectations and fell well short of that mark again. Losing to the Chiefs in the playoffs marked the Bills' third-consecutive AFC Divisional Round exit. Now, change is imminent.
Buffalo released five players Wednesday, headlined by safety and captain Jordan Poyer. It's also expected that the Bills will release two-time Pro Bowl corner Tre'Davious White, designating him as a "post-June 1 cut," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Who has been cut by the Bills and what does this mean for their salary cap situation? The Sporting News takes a closer look below.
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Jordan Poyer, Tre'Davious White headline Bills salary cap cuts
The Bills announced Wednesday that they have released safety Jordan Poyer, center Mitch Morse, defensive back Siran Neal, special teams ace Deonte Harty, and running back Nyheim Hines. They also plan to designate Tre'Davious White as a "post-June 1 cut," as reported by Schefter.
Of the six players released, Poyer (S), White (CB), Morse (C), and Harty (PR) were all starters in their respective positions.
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The Bills were $40 million over the salary cap entering Wednesday. With free agency set to begin on Monday, March 11, Buffalo had a major roster overhaul for cap flexibility.
Cutting Poyer, Morse, Neal, Harty, and Hines will create approximately $25.96 million in salary cap space, according to Schefter. They also plan to restructure pass rusher Von Miller and corner Rasul Douglas' contracts, saving themselves $8.7 million and $2.5 million, respectively.
Releasing White will eventually free up another $10.2 million, but not until after June 1. He is still on the books for $6.2 million in dead money.
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Buffalo had the worst cap situation in the NFL before Wednesday's moves, per Spotrac. It now ranks 28th out of 32 teams — still $15 million in the red — but it has more flexibility than before.
The Bills gained over $40 million in financial freedom as they look to remain a Super Bowl contender with star quarterback Josh Allen in the prime of his career.
Bills sign Mitch Trubisky as backup QB
After a day of salary cap cuts, the Bills signed Mitch Trubisky to an undisclosed contract to back up Allen at quarterback, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
The #Bills have agreed to terms with QB Mitch Trubisky to return to Buffalo, sources say. @ByTimGraham reported they were in talks. Now a done deal.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 7, 2024
The #Steelers cut Trubisky early to give him a shot to find his next gig before free agency begins. He’s done just that. pic.twitter.com/Zzvgt7ltmw
Trubisky spent the 2023 season as one of the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting quarterbacks. He appeared in five games, starting two — both of which he lost.
The veteran quarterback played for the Bills in 2021, appearing in six games, but starting none. He'll replace unrestricted free agent Kyle Allen as the backup quarterback.
