Bills Considering Taron Johnson Position Change for 2026 Season

Veteran cornerback could move to safety in new defensive scheme

Feb. 25, 2026 at 12:08am

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The Buffalo Bills are exploring the possibility of moving veteran nickel cornerback Taron Johnson to safety for the 2026 NFL season. The potential position change is less about Johnson's play and more to do with the team's transition to a new defensive coordinator and scheme.

Why it matters

The move would allow the Bills to get the most value out of their cornerback depth while also taking advantage of Johnson's strong tackling ability. The team is looking to improve their pass rush and backfield pressure under the new defensive coordinator.

The details

Taron Johnson has been the Bills' primary nickel cornerback since 2018, but the new coaching staff led by defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard is considering moving him to safety. Leonhard plans to implement a 3-4 base defense, which reduces the importance of the nickelback position that was key in the previous scheme. The Bills also have a surplus of talented cornerbacks, including Christian Benford, Dane Jackson, Tre'Davious White, Maxwell Hairston and Dorian Strong.

  • The Bills are exploring the position change for the 2026 NFL season.

The players

Taron Johnson

A veteran cornerback who has been a mainstay in the Bills' secondary since 2018.

Jim Leonhard

The new defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, who plans to implement a 3-4 base defense.

Brandon Beane

The general manager of the Buffalo Bills, who revealed the team is considering moving Johnson to safety.

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What they’re saying

“The potential position change has less to do with Johnson's play and more to do with the new coaching staff. Johnson's nickelback position was instrumental in Sean McDermott's signature nickel defense, which is less important in Leonhard's system.”

— Jay Skurski, Reporter (The Buffalo News)

What’s next

The Bills will continue to evaluate Taron Johnson's fit in the new defensive scheme during the offseason and training camp.

The takeaway

The Bills are exploring creative ways to maximize their defensive talent under the new coaching staff, including potentially moving a veteran cornerback to safety to better fit the team's evolving defensive philosophy.