Bills Sign Taylor Rapp to Extension Amid Series of Cuts
Football fans are used to Black Monday for coaching staffs getting the pink slip and the brutal stretch of preseason roster cuts that sees hundreds of dreams end, at least temporarily.
The final days of the league year can have a similar sentiment attached. As teams prepare for the new league year and the craze of free agency, tenures end, contracts expire, and veterans who helped forge playoff runs are cast away to the sea of the open market.
Generally, these cuts come periodically before the new league year as teams slowly work through extensive cap conversations. The Buffalo Bills, though, acted quickly on Wednesday, making the majority of their roster cuts in a matter of hours. Corner Tre’Davious White, center Mitch Morse, safety Jordan Poyer, and special teamers Deonte Harty, Siran Neal, and Nyheim Hines were informed of their release.
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It was a quick-hitting barrage of bad news, but Buffalo also handed out some new contracts. Offensive lineman David Edwards, punter Matt Haack, and quarterback Mitch Trubisky will all be Bills next season. Perhaps most notably, amidst the flurry of defensive departures, was the re-signing of safety Taylor Rapp.
On Wednesday, Buffalo signed Rapp to a three-year deal worth up to $14.5 million, per Adam Schefter.
The move fell under the radar but could have an outsized role on a new-look defense next season.
Rapp spent last season in Buffalo, his first after four years with the Los Angeles Rams. It wasn’t his most productive season, perhaps due (in part) to how frequently he played free safety in 2023. Rapp was the team’s primary backup, meaning he saw a greater percentage of snaps away from the box than in previous seasons.
Rapp is at his best in the box, where his ability to play the run and make tackles close to the line of scrimmage can show out. He’s also a good pass rusher for his position. He may be better utilized in defensive coordinator Bobby Babich’s defense with different pieces around (and presumably, ahead) of him.
Furthermore, official details haven’t been released, but given Schefter’s wording, Buffalo probably won’t be paying $4.83 million against the cap each season. Expect playing time or production incentives to make up a chunk of that $14.5 million, calming those angry at general manager Brandon Beane for handing out that kind of deal amidst cuts to more established players.
Rapp brings a consistent tackling presence but he’s got a knack for the big play, too. He sent the Miami Dolphins home in Week 18 and can be counted on for an interception or two every year.
The Bills may not be high-rollers in free agency, but stacking competent bodies matters. If extending Rapp means getting out of a potential small-time bidding war over a player they are comfortable with, an extension like this one makes sense.
