The Buffalo Bills Release 27 Players; A Few Surprises

The Buffalo Bills, along with the entire NFL had a very busy Tuesday.

For the first time ever, the NFL had one single cutdown day. Typically in years past, there has been three separate cutdown days. The NFL decided to eliminate that in 2023 and just have one day that all 32 teams had to get down to 53 players.

Roughly 1,000 players were released on Tuesday by 4 pm, with many of them intent on re-signing with the teams who released them -- being placed on the practice squad.

The Bills ended up releasing 27 players on Tuesday by 4 pm. Here is the full list.

The Bills also traded 2021 second round defensive end Boogie Basham to the New York Giants in exchange for swapping late round picks in 2025. The move signals the Bills swallowing a defeat in a draft pick that did not work in Buffalo.

Von Miller was officially kept on PUP, meaning he’s unavailable for the first four games of the season. He cannot practice with the team those four weeks but does not count against the 53-man roster. Miller likely returns by week 5 or 6.

Quarterback Matt Barkley was placed on IR, meaning Kyle Allen is the only QB behind starter Josh Allen.

Long snapper Reid Ferguson was immediately brought back on the 53-man roster and that release was a procedural move, to allow linebacker Baylon Spector to be placed on the in-season IR list (meaning he's eligible to return).

Both David Quessenberry and Ike Boettger were released, which means undrafted player Ryan Van Demark is the primary swing tackle the Bills have backing up Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown. Van Demark was undrafted in 2022 and did not make the Indianapolis Colts roster, but makes it a year later with the Bills.

Wide receiver Andy Isabella was a fan favorite in camp and the preseason but he was also released, along with linebacker A.J. Klein. Neither have to go through waivers since they're four-year and over veterans, which is the same for Quessenberry and Boettger.

Defensive end Kingsley Jonathan also made the roster, over Basham. He and Van Demark are the clear surprise players to make the 53-man roster. Damar Hamlin and Cam Lewis both made it as backup safeties and special teams players.

Something Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane have loved to do in the past is bring back players during the season, so we may see a few of these names back on the roster or practice squad after injuries. The Bills cam put claims in for other players by noon tomorrow, but they would have to go straight to the active roster, meaning someone would need to get released.

The Bills should be announcing who will be brought back for their practice squad by Wednesday.