As their cost-shedding moves continue, the Bills are parting ways with Tre’Davious White. The former All-Pro corner will be released, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
Schefter notes White will be designated a post-June 1 cut, meaning the move will not take place until the new league year begins next week. That path will lead to $10.2MM in savings in 2024, but they will not be realized until June 2. White will, however, be free to find a new team as soon as the market opens.
[RELATED: Bills To Release Mitch Morse, Deonte Harty]
White’s future was in question given his injury history over the past two seasons in particular. The former first-rounder was limited to six contests in 2022 as he recovered from an ACL tear the previous fall. In 2023, an Achilles tear cut his season short after just four contests. Having missed considerable time and with no more base salary guaranteed on his deal, White represented a logical release candidate.
The 29-year-old’s extension (a four-year, $69MM pact inked in 2020) had already been restructured multiple times, and taking that route again would have pushed further cap charges down the road. Instead, the team will elect to spread out his dead money charge ($6.23MM in 2024) over two years while cutting ties with a full-time starter. White logged 89 total appearances between regular and postseason play in Buffalo.
Over that span, he racked up 18 interceptions – including a league-leading six in 2019. White reached double figures in terms of pass deflections in three of his first four seasons, but his production in that regard has dropped off in the past three years due in part to the missed time. The LSU alum has remained strong in coverage, though, something which could help him land a notable pact with a new team in free agency.
Buffalo has 2022 sixth-rounder Christian Benford as well as 2023 trade acquisition Rasul Douglas in place as starting outside corners for the time being. Kaiir Elam – taken 23rd overall in 2022 – has not developed as hoped so far in his career, but moving on from White could open the door to playing time. In any case, the Bills will be in the market for a CB addition either in free agency or the draft.
In need of plenty of maneuvering to get under the cap limit, the Bills have made a slew of moves pointing them in that direction. That has included Jordan Poyer and Siran Neal being released today. The same is also true of Morse and Harty. Taking into account the efforts made so far, Buffalo sits $19.7MM over the cap as things stand. That figure will be helped in June by White’s release, but in the immediate future the team still has more work to do from a financial standpoint.
Outstanding player who just can’t stay on the field; probably one of the biggest high risk/high reward guys in free agency
Had to happen, too injury prone and when he came back after the first one he was getting burned
All these guys getting cut makes me curious how many of them end up taking prove-it deals in Houston. They’ve got the cap space and are on the rise. Lots of interesting free agents
Rumors are he could end up back with the Bills on a lower incentive-laden deal.
Any of these guys could, and I get why they would. If they want a different opportunity they also have that chance now. A team with more cap space could give more guaranteed money. Maybe White wants to lose to the Chiefs with a different team (not a Chiefs fan).
My second favorite Bill.
Its a sad day, but the right move.
Just the other week a couple of Bills fans were telling me how wrong I was for thinking the Bills would need a CB in the draft.
They don’t need a CB unless a good prospect is available later in the draft. WR and safety have to take priority, and OL is always a need, especially with the Morse cut. Douglas outperformed Tre when he stepped in and they have Benford on the other end and several backups (depth additions likely). Still holding out hope that Elam turns a corner, too.
Douglas, Dane, and Benford is a pretty strong trio.
Wouldn’t mind seeing him in GB on a 1 year.
Same with Poyer but he can get a multi.
Poyer needs to retire. Both he and Hyde gave their all over the last 7 years and have lost a couple of steps with injuries and the normal aging process. A one-year deal might be coming their way, but no sane team should sign either to a multi-year contract.
Ravens are $9 million over the cap and CB in the draft would be more economical but I’d love it if DeCosta could find a way to bring him in.
The conclusion to one of the worst trades in NFL history.
White was NOT injury prone. He just had a really bad injury two times in a row. Before that he was on the field all the time
Damnnnnnn
If the price is right would be a nice addition for Denver.