Why did the Bills release Curtis Samuel? Inside Buffalo’s decision to move on from the veteran WR

The Buffalo Bills are starting to change their roster before the 2026 NFL season. One of the most important changes is that they are letting go of veteran wide receiver Curtis Samuel.

The team let Samuel go after two seasons, which shows that they were worried about both his effectiveness on the field and their finances.Buffalo is preparing for the upcoming free agency period and wants to free up more space in its salary cap, so this decision makes sense. Samuel came to Buffalo to make the assault stronger and more adaptable, but his tenure with the squad didn't deliver them the results they wanted.

Curtis Samuel’s struggles in Buffalo

Samuel signed a three-year, $24 million agreement with the Bills in 2024. At the time, some felt the trade was meant to make the receiving corps stronger around star quarterback Josh Allen.

But Samuel's stint in Buffalo was cut short by injuries and inconsistent performance. He caught 31 catches for 253 yards and one touchdown in 2024. He showed some glimpses of being able to make plays, but his stats weren't what many expected from a player who was brought in to help the offense.

Things got worse in 2025. Samuel only played in six games because he was hurt. He grabbed seven passes for 81 yards and scored one touchdown. He caught 38 catches for 334 yards and two touchdowns in 20 regular-season games with the Bills over two seasons.

Salary cap considerations also played a role

The change has both financial and on-field problems. The Bills will save a little over $6 million in salary cap space by letting Samuel go, but they will also have to deal with around $3.4 million in dead cap.Buffalo has more room under the salary cap, which gives them more choices as they try to make their team better over the summer. Buffalo is making another huge move at the same time as Samuel's firing. The team just made a deal with the Chicago Bears to grab wide receiver D.J. Moore. Adding Moore might have made Samuel superfluous because the Bills now have a proven receiver to go with Allen in the passing game.

The timing of Samuel’s release also coincides with another major move by Buffalo.

The team recently acquired wide receiver D.J. Moore in a trade with the Chicago Bears. Adding Moore likely made Samuel expendable, as the Bills now have a proven receiving option to pair with Allen in the passing attack.Buffalo changed a number of players on their roster, and Samuel was one of them. The team also released veteran cornerback Taron Johnson. This provided them extra cap space while they learned a new defensive strategy under coach Jim Leonhard.These changes suggest the Bills are preparing for a busy offseason. With free agency approaching and roster needs across several positions, Buffalo appears focused on maximizing flexibility while re-forming its lineup.