Bills Trade Taron Johnson to Raiders Instead of Releasing Him

The Bills were planning to release the veteran cornerback, but the Raiders stepped in with a trade offer.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Buffalo Bills were planning to release veteran cornerback Taron Johnson, but before they could do so, the Las Vegas Raiders stepped in and traded for him. The Raiders will send a sixth-round pick to the Bills in exchange for Johnson and a seventh-round pick.

Why it matters

This last-minute trade allows the Bills to get some value for a player they were going to release anyway, while the Raiders take a chance on a former All-Pro nickelback who has declined in recent seasons but could still provide depth and experience to their secondary.

The details

Taron Johnson was originally a fourth-round pick by the Bills in 2018 out of Weber State. He played eight seasons in Buffalo, starting 87 of his 113 games and recording 572 tackles, six interceptions, eight forced fumbles, and eight sacks. Johnson had several strong seasons, including campaigns with 98, 94, and 90 tackles, but his production declined in 2025 when he had 57 tackles and no interceptions in 13 games.

  • The Bills were planning to release Johnson before the start of the new league year.
  • The Raiders contacted the Bills and traded for Johnson before the release could be finalized.

The players

Taron Johnson

A veteran cornerback who spent the first eight seasons of his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo Bills

The NFL team that originally drafted Taron Johnson in the fourth round in 2018 and was planning to release him before the Raiders traded for him.

Las Vegas Raiders

The NFL team that traded a sixth-round pick to the Bills in exchange for Taron Johnson and a seventh-round pick.

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What they’re saying

“It's a way for Buffalo to get a tiny asset for a guy they planned on cutting loose anyway.”

— Ian Rapoport, NFL Network Reporter (NFL Network)

“And it's a chance for the Raiders to take a chance on a former All-Pro nickelback.”

— Ian Rapoport, NFL Network Reporter (NFL Network)

What’s next

The Raiders will look to integrate Taron Johnson into their secondary and see if he can regain his past form, while the Bills will move forward with their roster plans after getting a late-round draft pick in the trade.

The takeaway

This last-minute trade between the Bills and Raiders highlights the fluid nature of the NFL offseason, where teams are constantly looking to find value in players that may be on the verge of being released. It also shows how a team like the Raiders is willing to take a chance on a veteran player who has declined in recent seasons but could still provide valuable depth and experience.