The Buffalo Bills, sitting at 7-2, just gave Josh Allen a $1.75 million boost by restructuring contracts and freeing up cap space. With injuries mounting and the AFC race tightening, this move signals the team is ready to back their star quarterback and pursue aggressive upgrades before the trade deadline.

As posted by Alex Brasky on X: ”The Bills restructured CB Taron Johnson’s contract by converting his base salary into a signing bonus. The move created an extra $1.75M in salary cap space, per @FieldYates. A trade is coming.”

The Bills made the move just hours before the NFL trade deadline. They didn’t change Josh Allen’s contract, but by freeing up cap space, they’re helping protect his championship window, making sure they can add the talent he needs around him.

Johnson is currently battling a groin injury that kept him out of Sunday’s 28-21 win over Kansas City. The Bills converted the cornerback’s salary into a signing bonus, freeing up cap space now by spreading his cost over future seasons.

The team is dealing with key injuries on defense and still needs help at wide receiver, so the front office is keeping its options open.

Defensive end Michael Hoecht is now on injured reserve with an Achilles injury, adding to a line already missing Ed Oliver. On offense, the team still lacks a true deep-threat receiver.

Names like Jakobi Meyers and Chris Olave have come up in trade talks, but cost and availability could be hurdles. Whether Buffalo targets help in the trenches or adds a playmaker outside, the timing of their recent contract restructure, just hours before the deadline, shows they’re serious.

When you’ve got a top-tier quarterback like Josh Allen, building around him isn’t optional, it’s a must. And as trade rumors swirl, head coach Sean McDermott made it clear: internal conversations about roster moves are happening.

”We could use some help,” says McDermott

The head coach’s tone reflected strong alignment with GM Brandon Beane. They’re focused on keeping the Bills competitive and setting up a late-season surge.

“What we’ve understood works, is I shared my vision for the team, where I think we’re at and where I think we could use some help,” McDermott stated. “We go back and forth … From there, it’s really his stage.”

McDermott said Beane checks with him on scheme fit when trade targets come up, a smart, team-first approach that builds trust between coach and GM.

“He’ll brief me on some things… irons in the fire… have me look at someone or a couple of guys,” McDermott said, discussing team participation without overstepping personnel bounds.

The Bills’ front office has always focused on teamwork. McDermott handles the football side, while Beane builds the roster, working in sync to keep the team strong.

With injuries piling up, young defenders like Maxwell Hairston, Cole Bishop, and Jordan Hancock have stepped up, especially in the game against Kansas City. Bishop stood out with a team-high tackle count and four key pass breakups. Their progress gives Buffalo some breathing room, but it’s not a reason to skip trade deadline moves.

McDermott praised the youth surge: ”Some young guys out there that haven’t played a whole lot of football, and you’re excited for them because you see them and their excitement,” he said.

Still, development alone won’t close championship gaps.

The Bills have struck their financial match ahead of the deadline. Now, whether they light the fuse is up to Beane, and the market. And if Monday’s restructure was a hint, Buffalo isn’t planning to sit quietly in the AFC arms race.