The Buffalo Bills rewarded Taron Johnson with a three-year, $30.75 million contract extension in the 2023 offseason after he earned Second-Team All-Pro honors, making him the highest-paid slot cornerback at that time. Unfortunately, he has not lived up to the contract, with his production dipping over the past two seasons and injuries that have kept him out of seven games. Johnson has recorded two interceptions, one pick-six, and ten pass deflections over the past 30 appearances, while missing four games in 2024 due to a fractured forearm and three more in 2025 with a quad and lingering groin injury.
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The Buffalo Bills’ All-Pro is on the chopping block
Buffalo Bills, Taron Johnson
Aug 12, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson warms up before a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Taron Johnson is widely viewed as a cap casualty because he is not considered a scheme fit for Jim Leonhard’s 3-4 defense. In Leonhard’s scheme, he does not use a traditional slot cornerback but instead a hybrid linebacker/safety, known as the big nickel in base defense, who is expected to blitz, defend against the run, and play heavy man coverage. Johnson does not fit the role because he is undersized at 192 pounds, struggles against the run, and is traditionally a zone-coverage slot corner. The Bills reportedly discussed the possibility of switching to safety.
Johnson is also a cap casualty given his contract. He is in the second-to-last year of his deal and is scheduled to earn an $8.1 million base salary, a per-game bonus totaling $510,000, a $150,000 workout bonus, $8.76 million in cash, and a $11.41 million cap charge in 2026, per Over The Cap. Also, his $1.75 million injury guarantee vests into a full guarantee if he is on the roster by March 15.
The Bills move on from the former highest-paid slot corner
© Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
East Rutherford, NJ — October 14, 2024 — A pass intended for Mike Williams of the Jets is intercepted by Taron Johnson of Buffalo ending a late game drive for the Jets. The Buffalo Bills came to MetLife Stadium to play the NY Jets. The Jets played their first game under new interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich.
According to Ian Rapoport, the Bills are releasing Taron Johnson with a standard cut after eight seasons with the team. As a result, the front office frees $1.9 million in cap space while incurring $9.5 million in dead cap. The team also wipes Johnson’s $12 million cap charge in 2027 and $4 million void in 2028, as the $9.5 million dead cap accelerated into 2026.
The #Bills are releasing long-time veteran CB Taron Johnson, source said. Makes sense with the new defensive scheme.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2026