Bills Release S Mike Edwards

12:02pm: Rather than subject Edwards to the waiver wire, the Bills will give the veteran a break by cutting him early. With no trade coming to pass, the team announced the Edwards release. Because Buffalo cut him before the 3pm CT deadline, he passes straight to free agency.

11:16am: Mentioned as a player on the trade block, Mike Edwards looks set to make his Buffalo stay short. The Bills are planning to cut the veteran safety if they cannot trade him today, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero notes.

The former Buccaneers and Chiefs defender sits behind Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin and second-round rookie Cole Bishop at safety. Although the Bills have run into memorable safety injuries in the recent past, they appear fine parting with Edwards. The Bills made him available recently and have until 3pm CT today to deal him.

Buffalo showed interest in Julian Blackmon this offseason, hosting him on a visit, but ended up signing Edwards. Blackmon then agreed to a one-year deal to stay in Indianapolis. Edwards signed a one-year, $2.8MM deal with the Bills more than a week into free agency. The agreement did not produce notable playing time, as the former third-round pick has seen just seven defensive snaps this season.

Edwards, 28, asked for the Buffalo exit, per Pelissero. The Bills separated from their seven-year safety duo, cutting Jordan Poyer and not re-signing Micah Hyde. The team had re-signed Rapp and have Hamlin in a contract year. After barely playing in 2023, following an inspirational recovery from cardiac arrest, Hamlin has commandeered a starting job. The Bills chose Bishop 60th overall and have used him primarily as their third safety. Versatile DB Cam Lewis also gives the team a depth option; he has played in front of Edwards this season.

Injuries at the position plagued Buffalo during training camp; this included Edwards battling a hamstring malady. But the perennial AFC East champions saw their situation clear up not too long after. Edwards returned by Week 1 but has been unable to land playing time, despite the two-time Super Bowl champion playing a starting role down the stretch for the Chiefs last season.

Edwards has 28 career starts on his resume. Filling in for an injured Bryan Cook in Kansas City last year, Edwards played 97% of the snaps in Super Bowl LVIII and at least 93% of the Chiefs’ defensive plays in two other postseason games.