The Buffalo Bills are starting a new era and clearing cap space in the process.
After seven seasons, an All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection, the Bills are releasing safety Jordan Poyer, along with Pro Bowl and All-Pro cornerback Tre’Davious White, Pro Bowl center Mitch Morse, wide receiver Deonte Harty, running back Nyheim Hines and cornerback Siran Neal. The moves are projected to save Buffalo $36.283 million in cap space and are now roughly $6 million over the cap.
The 32-year-old Poyer was due $7.720 million in the final year of a two-year contract signed last offseason and Buffalo is projected to save $5.72 million by moving on from Poyer in 2024.
With fellow safety Micah Hyde entering free agency and mulling retirement, the Bills had not committed to bringing both or either back next season. Hyde missed 17 games over the last two seasons with neck injuries, while Poyer missed four games with a slew of injuries in 2022 despite earning his first Pro Bowl selection.
Although Poyer only missed one game last season, he wasn’t able to play at the same level, moving to linebacker on passing downs following Matt Milano’s injury. Poyer made 100 tackles for the fourth time during his run with the Bills, but did not record an interception for the first time since joining the team in 2017.
The Bills played just four games without one of Hyde and Poyer in the lineup over seven seasons and they started 92 games together. Poyer wraps up his career in Buffalo with 682 tackles, 22 interceptions, 11 sacks, eight forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries over 107 games.
The decision to move on from White, which was confirmed to the Gazette by a league source, comes after missing 31 games over the last three seasons due to injury. White was a two-time All-Pro and a two-time Pro Bowler after being selected in the first round in 2017, but he suffered a torn ACL in 2021 that cost him 12 games over two seasons and he tore his Achilles tendon in Week 4 last season.
White, 29, had 18 interceptions in 82 career games and was owed $16.443 million next season. By releasing White after June 1, the Bills will take a $6.234 million dead cap hit, but save $10.208 million.
Morse, who was signed in 2019, was projected to make $11.5 million next season and the Bills can save $8.5 million by releasing him. The 31-year-old was one of the team’s most vocal leaders, and after trading backup Ryan Bates to the Bears Monday, it seemed as if Morse would stick next season.
After starting his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, Morse started all but five games for the Bills since arriving.
Harty was signed to a two-year, $9 million deal last season, but like Hines, never found a true role with the offense. Harty returned a punt for a touchdown against the Dolphins to help clinch the AFC East, but had just 15 receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown.
His playing time diminished when Joe Brady became offensive coordinator, playing more than 10 offensive snaps just twice. By releasing Harty, the Bills save $4.315 million.
Neal had been with the Bills since being drafted in the fifth round in 2018, playing cornerback, safety and nickel back, while primarily serving as a special teams ace.
Neal played all but one game during his time in Buffalo, earning a three-year, $9 million contract extension in 2022. He was set to be owed $3.413 million in 2024 and the Bills can save $2.88 million by releasing him.
The Bills have also agreed to terms with guard David Edwards on a two-year deal worth $6 million. Edwards will reportedly receive $2.95 million guaranteed, with a $1.75 million signing bonus, with a $1.2 million guaranteed base salary in 2024 and a $2.56 million base salary in 2025. Edwards can also make more than $2 million in incentives.
Edwards was signed by the Bills during the offseason last year after four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. The 26-year-old Edwards played 148 offensive snaps as a reserve lineman last season, with 132 coming as a tight end.
The Bills also signed punter Matt Haack to a one-year contract. Haack was with the team in 2021 and was released just prior to the 2022 season.