Many Bills defensive contributors in 2025 remain free agents

Q: Which Buffalo Bills defensive players are still free agents in 2026?

Key free agents include Joey Bosa, A.J. Epenesa, Tre White, Jordan Poyer, and Matt Milano.

Q: What defensive scheme is the Buffalo Bills implementing in 2026?

The Buffalo Bills are expected to shift to a 3-4 base defense under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonard.

Q: Why are many Bills defensive contributors still unsigned?

The ongoing free agency period has seen several contributors from the 2025 roster remain unsigned, raising questions about the team's talent level.

Q: What impact did injuries have on the Bills' defensive players in 2025?

Injuries affected players like Matt Milano, who still managed to play over 50% of snaps despite reduced production.

DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 17: Joey Bosa #97 of the Buffalo Bills rushes the passer during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on January 17, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images) | Getty Images As the Joe Brady era is under way for the new head coach of the Buffalo Bills, there are plenty of questions around what the team’s defense will look like this season. With the expected shift to a 3-4 base defense, many fans have been excited to see what new defensive coordinator Jim Leonard will bring to the club. While the new defensive scheme can be met with optimism, I can not help but look back on the 2025 squad and the debate around the talent of Buffalo’s defense. Earlier this year, Vic Carucci reported the following for WGRZ, regarding the rift between Sean Mcdermott, Brandon Beane, and Terry Pegula related to the team’s roster. *“I’m told that during a meeting held five weeks ago between McDermott, Beane and Pegula, the coach pointed out what the roster lacked to win a Super Bowl. I don’t know the specifics McDermott mentioned, but I’m told neither Beane nor Pegula was pleased with McDermott’s assessment.“* Now that the 2026 free agency period is almost two months old, the number of 2025 Bills that are still free agents may back up the report feelings that Carucci reported on. The players highlighted played a significant number of snaps last season (20% or more), and are still on the free agent market. It should be noted that there are only defensive players from the 2025 roster that meet this criteria. At defensive end, two major contributors that still remain on the free agent market in Joey Bosa (57% of defensive snaps) and (45%). Epenesa also chipped in with 20% of special teams snaps, and had a one-year deal with the voided after a failed physical. The defensive line has three other contributors that are still free agents in defensive tackles (43%), (21%), and (21%). Personally, I think the Bills should re-sign one of their former linebackers, but for now and remain free agents. Injuries once again took a toll on Milano’s production, but he still played over 50% of snaps last season. Thompson filled in admirably during his one year stint in Buffalo while playing 42% of the snaps. Buffalo’s 2025 defensive backfield also has a number of players still available, led by fan favorite Tre White (71%). Safeties and both saw time as starters last season, playing 44% and 35% of snaps, respectively. Poyer was also a contributor on special teams, playing about 10% of the snaps. Some of the names on this list do not come as too much of a surprise, as players like Poyer and Phillips made it clear that they would only play in Buffalo last year. You could include White in that category as well, but I did assume his performance from last year would give him some options elsewhere this offseason. The players that remain free agents raise the question – did the Bills have the right talent across the front seven last year? At least based on the free agency market to date, the rest of the NFL’s answer is “no”.