Bills Weigh Keeping Key Free Agents for 2026

Buffalo must decide which of its 21 unrestricted free agents to re-sign for next season.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 4:24pm

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The Buffalo Bills have 21 players who are unrestricted free agents this offseason, including key starters like center Connor McGovern, guard David Edwards, linebacker Matt Milano, and defensive backs Tre'Davious White and Jordan Poyer. The team will have to decide which of these veterans to re-sign for the 2026 season, with one Bills beat writer predicting the team is most likely to bring back McGovern, quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, fullback Reggie Gilliam, linebacker Shaq Thompson, White, and punter Mitch Wishnowsky.

Why it matters

The Bills' free agent decisions will shape the team's roster and salary cap situation for the 2026 season. Retaining core players like McGovern, Milano, and White is crucial, but the team will also have to weigh the cost and injury history of some veterans. How Buffalo navigates this offseason will impact their chances of contending for a Super Bowl next year.

The details

The Bills' 21 unrestricted free agents include several starters and key role players. In addition to McGovern, Edwards, Milano, White, and Poyer, the list includes defensive linemen DaQuan Jones and A.J. Epenesa, wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Gabe Davis, and safety Damar Hamlin. One Bills beat writer predicts the team will prioritize re-signing McGovern, Trubisky, Gilliam, Thompson, White, and Wishnowsky, while letting the others test free agency.

  • The NFL's new league year begins at 4 p.m. on March 11, 2026.

The players

Connor McGovern

The Bills' starting center who is expected to be a priority re-sign for the team.

Mitchell Trubisky

The Bills' backup quarterback who could be brought back as a veteran presence behind the starter.

Tre'Davious White

The Bills' star cornerback who is considered a must-keep free agent for the team.

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What’s next

The Bills will have to make their free agent decisions in the coming weeks before the new league year begins on March 11, 2026.

The takeaway

The Bills face tough choices in free agency, needing to balance retaining core veterans with managing the salary cap. Their ability to re-sign key starters like McGovern, Milano, and White will be crucial to their chances of contending for a Super Bowl in 2026.