Four Free Agent Losses That Will Prove Toughest for Buffalo Bills to Overcome

No matter how many accounting tricks that the front office managed to pull off, the Buffalo Bills were always going to face serious salary cap constraints in free agency.

Even if they wanted to, the Bills could not feasibly retain all of their free agents from a financial standpoint. As a result, it's no surprise that Buffalo lost a few valuable contributors to other teams this offseason.

While Buffalo remains strong in a number of important areas, there is plenty of depth to replenish, and the NFL Draft won't provide all of the answers.

Here are the four free agent losses that the Bills will miss the most in 2026.

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LG David Edwards

After serving as a sixth offensive lineman in 2023, Edwards provided the Bills with back-to-back quality seasons as the starting left guard. The former Los Angeles Rams' starter was so effective, he earned a four-year, $61 million from the New Orleans Saints in free agency.

Due to his departure, Buffalo will have a different starting offensive line combination for the first time in three years. While either Alec Anderson or recently-added Austin Corbett may provide the Bills with a sufficient replacement for Edwards, the unit will lose the rare luxury of continuity.

While the Bills lost Edwards, it could have been worse. Fortunately, Buffalo was able to retain Pro Bowl center Connor McGovern on a new three-year contract.

"Would have loved to have retained them both, but knew the economics, with the cap, that was going to be a long shot. So I was hoping to get one and, I'm glad to get McGovern," said general manager Brandon Beane during a Centered on Buffalo Podcast appearance.

Dec 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) at the line of scrimmage with guard David Edwards (76) | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

QB Mitch Trubisky

With a 31-26 career record as a starter, Trubisky is one of the more accomplished backups on the circuit.

The Bills simply couldn't afford to fit him in under the salary cap, allowing him to join former Buffalo offensive coordinator Brian Daboll on a two-year, $10.5 million contract from the Tennessee Titans.

While no substitute is capable of maintaining Josh Allen's level of production, Trubisky did an adequate job with his limited relief opportunities. In the 2025 regular season finale, the former No. 2 overall draft pick went 22-of-29 passing for 259 yards and four touchdowns against the New York Jets.

In terms of an insurance policy, Kyle Allen is a clear downgrade from Trubisky on paper.

Mitch Trubisky — Jan 4, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (11) passes the ball under pressure from New York Jets defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (91) | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

OT Ryan Van Demark

The starter-quality backup tackle ultimately became too expensive for the salary cap-strapped Bills, going to the Minnesota Vikings for more than $4.2 million.

Van Demark, who made 31 appearances (six starts) for Buffalo over the past two years, was a restricted free agent, receiving the right of first refusal tender valued at $3.5 million.

"The $3.5 million was even a tough number for us to do," said Beane. "You're proud of Vandy. You don't want to lose him, but that number was already a hard number for us. We were stretching to kind of make it work."

While 2024 sixth-round pick Tylan Grable has shown ability as a viable backup, the Bills' depth undoubtedly takes a hit with the battle-tested Van Demark's departure.

Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark (74) against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 AFC divisional round game | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

FB Reggie Gilliam

The fan favorite fullback, who added another dimension to the Bills' offense, defected to the division rival New England Patriots for a three-year, $10.8 million contract.

Gilliam played a career-high 235 offensive snaps for Buffalo, which was one of the few NFL teams to incorporate a fullback. Rather than directly replace him on offense, the Bills may choose to use tight end Jackson Hawes more frequently.

The loss of Gilliam may prove to be even more noticeable on special teams as he participated in approximately 80 percent of all snaps over the past five seasons.

Reggie Gilliam hit — Buffalo Bills fullback Reggie Gilliam (41) puts a big hit on New York Jets wide receiver Xavier Gipson (82) who fumbles the opening kickoff. | Jamie Germano/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK