Breaking: Bills Make Stunning Move to Land Elite Playmaker (Report). The Buffalo Bills have made a bold move as the 2025 free agency period kicks off. After consecutive early playoff exits, Buffalo has decided to strengthen its defense by adding another star player.
Breaking: Bills Land Elite Playmaker in Stunning Trade (Report)
Joey Bosa has found a new NFL home. Following his release from the Los Angeles Chargers, the five-time Pro Bowl pass rusher has signed a one-year, $12.6 million deal with the Buffalo Bills.
At 29, Bosa steps in to help fill the void left by former All-Pro Von Miller, who was also released ahead of free agency.
A former No. 3 overall pick, Bosa burst onto the scene in 2016, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year with 10.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss. He earned his first Pro Bowl nod the following season and has recorded four double-digit sack seasons in his career. In 2024, he made his fifth Pro Bowl after notching five sacks and two forced fumbles in 14 games.
Despite his elite talent, injuries have been a concern. Bosa missed nine games in 2018 and has been sidelined for 23 combined games over the past three seasons.
They prioritized keeping their core intact, extending Khalil Shakir, Terrel Bernard, Greg Rousseau, and MVP quarterback Josh Allen.
While many teams have been spending freely during the early days of free agency, the Buffalo Bills have taken a more calculated approach. Before the tampering period even began, they were among the most active teams, focusing on retaining key players.
They prioritized keeping their core intact, extending Khalil Shakir, Terrel Bernard, Greg Rousseau, and MVP quarterback Josh Allen. That trend continued with the re-signing of running back Ty Johnson.
Johnson has agreed to a two-year, $5 million contract with Buffalo. While he may not always grab headlines, his value to the Bills’ offense is undeniable. Bills fans have plenty of reasons to celebrate his return.
Reason 1: OC Joe Brady Unleashed Johnson’s Potential
When Joe Brady took over as offensive coordinator midway through the 2023 season, he revamped the offense. Instead of relying heavily on Stefon Diggs, the Bills diversified their attack—and Johnson became a key part of that transformation.
As a change-of-pace back, Johnson complemented James Cook effectively. Over his two seasons with the team, he has played in 27 games, rushing for 345 yards, a touchdown, and 21 first downs—many of which came in clutch moments. In fact, given his ability to break off explosive plays, some might argue he was Buffalo’s most dynamic playmaker in 2024.
Reason 2: A Reliable Third-Down and Receiving Back
Johnson excels in third-down situations, both as a pass-catching option and a pass blocker. His route-running ability often goes unnoticed, but he’s capable of lining up as a receiver and making plays both out wide and from the backfield.
Since joining Buffalo, he has hauled in 25 receptions for 346 yards, four touchdowns, and 16 first downs, with an impressive 78.1% catch rate. He played a crucial role for Josh Allen last season, including a game-changing fourth-and-long touchdown against the Broncos in the playoffs.
Statistically, Johnson led all NFL running backs in yards per touch last season (among those with at least 50 touches). He also ranked first among Bills receivers in Expected Points Added (EPA) per target and third in overall receiving EPA. His efficiency made him one of the team’s most underrated offensive weapons—now secured for two more seasons.
Reason 3: Tremendous Value for Buffalo
For years, the Bills searched for a versatile back like Johnson. They initially pursued J.D. McKissic, but he opted out of signing. James Cook, drafted as a receiving back, has since developed into the team’s lead runner. Buffalo ultimately found Johnson after he was released by their AFC East rival, the New York Jets—and he quickly proved to be a steal.
His new contract is a bargain, with $5 million appearing to be the maximum value over two years. Once full details emerge, it could look even more team-friendly. While Buffalo didn’t originally draft Johnson in 2019, he has developed into a homegrown talent within their system. His extension is yet another example of the Bills rewarding their own players and maintaining continuity on offense.
