The Buffalo Bills are currently struggling with salary cap space as they attempt to build their roster. The Bills have only around $8 million in cap space and are likely trying to make some room relatively soon. One of the primary players they must deal with is Mario Williams, according to NFL.com.
Williams was destined to be cut from the start of the 2015 season. He disagreed with head coach Rex Ryan's defensive schemes, publicly critizing him at points during season. His production was way off the mark, and he was eventually benched. His cap hit is more than $19 million, so the second that the Bills release Williams they are likely to lock down other players to long-term deals, including Stephon Gilmore according to the Buffalo News. Gilmore has been the best cornerback on the Bills for the past four seasons. In 2015 he recorded 36 combined tackles, 18 pass defenses and three interceptions in only 12 games.
In his Bills career he recorded 178 combined tackles, 50 pass defenses, nine interceptions and four forced fumbles. He has produced at a high enough level to be re-signed to a long term deal, and the Bills know this. Gilmore currently has a cap hit of more than $11 million, so this move is likely to help the Bills free up some cap room. Gilmore is a free agent in 2017 and will command a large price tag on the open market, and at 25 he still likely has a ton of football left. The next contract Gilmore will get from the Bills will be a long-term (5-year-plus) deal that will have the Bills retaining him throughout his prime, according to Buffalo Bills.com. The Bills must find a way to also re-sign Cordy Glenn and Richie Incognito after their solid seasons along the offensive line.
