Bills Consider Moving Cornerback Taron Johnson to Safety

The 30-year-old veteran could transition to a new position under the team's new defensive coordinator.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 8:18pm

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The Buffalo Bills are considering moving veteran cornerback Taron Johnson to safety next season. Johnson has played as a nickel cornerback throughout his eight-year career, but with the team transitioning to a new defensive scheme under coordinator Jim Leonhard, the 30-year-old could be better suited for a safety role. The Bills are facing questions at the safety position, with Jordan Poyer potentially retiring and Taylor Rapp a likely release candidate.

Why it matters

The potential position switch for Taron Johnson is part of a broader overhaul of the Bills' defense under new coordinator Jim Leonhard. The team is shifting to a 3-4 base defense and plans to rely more on man coverage and blitzes, a significant departure from the previous scheme. Johnson's move to safety could help shore up a position of need for the Bills as they look to build a defense that better fits Leonhard's vision.

The details

Taron Johnson has been a consistent contributor for the Bills since being drafted in the fourth round in 2018, but injuries have contributed to a decline in his performance over the past couple of seasons. The team signed him to a three-year, $31 million extension in 2024, making him one of the highest-paid slot cornerbacks in the league at the time. However, Johnson has missed nine games since 2024 and was ranked 74th out of 112 qualifying cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus in 2025. The Bills believe Johnson's skill set may be better suited for a safety role in Leonhard's new defensive scheme.

  • Johnson is set to play his age-30 season in 2026.

The players

Taron Johnson

An eight-year veteran cornerback for the Buffalo Bills who is being considered for a position switch to safety.

Brandon Beane

The general manager of the Buffalo Bills who told reporters the team will consider moving Johnson to safety next season.

Jim Leonhard

The new defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills who is implementing significant changes to the team's defensive scheme, including a shift to a 3-4 base defense and an increased emphasis on man coverage and blitzes.

Jordan Poyer

The Bills' veteran starting safety who is going to turn 35 in April and is a pending free agent who may retire.

Taylor Rapp

A Bills safety who endured a rough six-game stretch before undergoing season-ending knee surgery in October, making him a likely release candidate.

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What they’re saying

“Finding out the perfect role for a player like that is very high on our priority list. What it exactly is gonna look like is yet to be determined a little bit, but I love the player, I love the personality, I had a great conversation with him. He's excited for the change. Not knowing what it is, right? And he knows that we're gonna communicate with him and find out what's right because he's been an extremely productive player in the NFL.”

— Jim Leonhard, Defensive Coordinator, Buffalo Bills (The Athletic)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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