The Buffalo Bills have released safety Mike Edwards after being unable to trade him by the NFL’s trade deadline on Tuesday.
Edwards, who joined Buffalo as a free agent in the offseason, had requested a trade a few weeks prior due to limited playing time. The 27-year-old safety saw action in just three games this season and has been inactive for the past four. The Bills’ decision to release Edwards follows his frustrations over his backup role, despite initial expectations of him starting after he signed a one-year contract in March.
Edwards arrived in Buffalo fresh off a Super Bowl win with the Kansas City Chiefs last season—his second title, with his first coming in 2020 as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was brought in to add experience and depth to the Bills’ secondary, but injuries hindered his participation in spring practices and a significant portion of training camp. Consequently, he found himself behind Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin in the depth chart, unable to secure the starting role he’d anticipated.
Alongside Edwards’ release, the Bills made another roster move by placing edge rusher Dawuane Smoot on injured reserve. Smoot suffered a wrist injury during Buffalo’s recent 30-27 win over the Miami Dolphins and will need surgery. Head coach Sean McDermott expects Smoot to return later in the season, despite his IR designation.
These roster adjustments come as the Bills aim to navigate the season’s challenges and maintain a healthy lineup for the latter half of the schedule. The decision to release Edwards underscores the competitive nature of the Bills’ roster and the shifting demands as they look to make a postseason push.
