Bills cut ties with another 2-time Super Bowl champion

According to Tom Pelissero, Mike Edwards requested his release from the team, and his request was granted. Edwards played in just three games this season, none as a starter, with Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin ahead of him on the depth chart.

Mike Edwards, 28, has spent most of his six-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he won a Super Bowl in 2021. He added another championship ring in 2023 during a brief stint with the Kansas City Chiefs before signing with the Buffalo Bills in free agency shortly after his second title.

With Edwards no longer on the roster, the Bills now list second-round rookie Cole Bishop as the backup safety behind starters Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin. However, Buffalo also has veteran safeties Lewis Cline and Kareem Jackson on their practice squad, whom they may promote if they are unable to find other options.

As a free agent, Edwards is expected to join a new team to finish out the season. Known for his ball-hawking skills, the Kentucky product has accumulated eight interceptions from 2020 to 2023.

Bills could seek further trades at 2024 deadline

As one of the top contenders for the 2024 Super Bowl, the Buffalo Bills are a team to watch heading into the NFL trade deadline. They’ve already made a significant move this season, acquiring star receiver Amari Cooper, but could still be looking to bolster their defense.

In addition to their thin depth at safety, the Bills may look to strengthen their front seven. The team lost star linebacker Matt Milano early in the season, and Terrel Bernard has also been dealing with injuries, leading to inconsistency in the linebacking corps. This has contributed to the Bills allowing 4.8 yards per carry, the seventh-worst rate in the league.

Buffalo may also consider making a change at kicker, as Tyler Bass has struggled throughout the year. However, Bass may have bought himself some more time after hitting a career-long 61-yard field goal with five seconds remaining in Week 9 to secure a win over the Miami Dolphins.

While the Bills are not expected to make any major moves before the trade deadline, they remain a team to monitor, especially with high-profile trade targets being floated around the league in the final hours leading up to the deadline.