Bills GM Leaves Door Open for Taron Johnson Safety Move

Brandon Beane says "nothing's off the table" as Buffalo evaluates defensive personnel for new coordinator Jim Leonhard's scheme.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 11:34pm

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Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane indicated the team is considering moving nickel cornerback Taron Johnson to safety this offseason as they transition to new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard's system. Beane said "nothing's off the table" when asked about the possibility of Johnson, who will turn 30 this year, shifting to safety.

Why it matters

Johnson has been a key part of the Bills' defense in recent seasons, playing nearly 90% of defensive snaps. But Leonhard's defense is expected to use a third linebacker more often, potentially reducing Johnson's role at nickel corner. Exploring a move to safety could help the Bills maximize Johnson's value and find the best fit for him in the new scheme.

The details

Johnson is scheduled to count over $11 million against the salary cap this season. The Bills could save $8.6 million by making him a post-June 1 cut, or just under $2 million by releasing him before June 1, though that would result in a $9.5 million dead cap hit. Beane said the team is "trying to figure every single piece out" as they evaluate how players will fit in Leonhard's defense compared to the previous scheme under Sean McDermott.

  • Johnson will turn 30 years old in July 2026.

The players

Brandon Beane

The general manager of the Buffalo Bills.

Taron Johnson

A 29-year-old nickel cornerback for the Buffalo Bills who has played nearly 90% of defensive snaps in recent seasons.

Jim Leonhard

The new defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, who is expected to use a third linebacker more often in his defensive scheme compared to the previous coordinator.

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What they’re saying

“Nothing's off the table. We'll look at anything and everything as we make these decisions and, you know, he's a good football player, and so you never want to rule anything out if you think that's the best position for him after a couple weeks with Jim.”

— Brandon Beane, General Manager, Buffalo Bills (audacy.com)

What’s next

The Bills will continue evaluating Taron Johnson's fit in the new defensive scheme over the next several weeks as they make decisions on their roster for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Bills are keeping an open mind about Taron Johnson's future role, willing to consider a position switch to safety if it best fits the team's needs under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. This flexibility shows the organization's commitment to finding the right personnel to maximize their defensive potential in the upcoming season.