While the Buffalo Bills cleared up significant salary cap space on Wednesday, the franchise ended up having room to make two key signings. One involves defensive veteran Taylor Rapp and the other move brings back a familiar face: Mitch Trubisky.
Bills Reuniting With Former Backup on Day of Moves
The defending AFC East champions first decided to sign the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback to their roster, according to NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo.
The Athletic Bills insider Tim Graham was the first to report that Trubisky and the Bills were in talks about a new deal. Garafolo confirmed the two agreed to terms.
For Trubisky, the former No. 2 overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft class, this will be his second run in western New York. The Bills gave him his second league home after four seasons with the Chicago Bears. His Windy City tenure was marred with minimal production, no push for an NFC North title, and the Bears being criticized for passing on Patrick Mahomes in that same class.
Trubisky only threw eight passes in ’21 while backing up Josh Allen. He spent his last two seasons in Steel City, going a combined 2-5 as a starter.
He was one of three different starters for a Steelers team that sneaked into the AFC playoffs in 2023. Trubisky, though, lost both of his starts and threw four touchdowns with five interceptions (matching his 2022 totals). Now, Trubisky gets to return to an NFL facility he knows well.
Taylor Rapp’s New Contract With Buffalo
As for Rapp, his signing comes on the same day that Buffalo released longtime veteran defender and All-Pro safety Jordan Poyer. Furthermore, the Bills also decided to part ways with another past multiple-Pro Bowler in cornerback Tre’Davious White.
Rapp, though, was rewarded with a new three-year deal worth up to $14.5 million according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Rapp first joined the Bills after his four-year run with the Los Angeles Rams. He emerged as a starting defender for a Rams defense that finished first in the NFL in 2020 and then snatched Super Bowl 56 the following year.
The former Washington Huskies safety started in four games, playing with Poyer and fellow veteran Micah Hyde in the safety room. Rapp still tallied 50 total tackles including 33 solo stops.
Rapp originally signed for one year in March 2023. He rejoined his fellow Super Bowl-winning teammate Von Miller when signing with Buffalo. Miller, meanwhile, is renegotiating his 2022 contract to remain with the team, according to ESPN insider Field Yates.
Both the Trubisky and Rapp deals came on a day the Bills started a personal house-cleaning sweep of their roster. Buffalo went from being $40 million over budget in salary cap space to freeing up close to $25.96 million by releasing names like Poyer and White, meaning more moves remain.
KEEP READING: Bills Cap Space: Latest Update After Buffalo Cuts Tre’Davious White and Jordan Poyer
Running back Nyheim Hynes, center Mitch Morse, and wide receiver/kick returner Deonte Harty were among other notable cuts.
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