Bills facing rough cap issues

The Buffalo Bills have no money to spend.

The Buffalo Bills went 8-8 last season, finishing one game worse than they did in 2014. Buffalo was supposed to be one of the better teams in the AFC this season after hiring Rex Ryan as head coach, and despite having a Pro Bwol quarterback in Tyrod Taylor, the playoff drought continues.

Buffalo has not reached the postseason since 1999, the longest stretch in the NFL. Now, the Bills are likely a player or two from reaching the playoffs, but general manager Doug Whaley is going to have some problems acquiring those men. Currently, the Bills have the worst salary cap position in the spot, sitting at $4.790 million above the salary cap, per Over The Cap.

On the plus side, Whaley can release defensive end Mario Williams and save $12.9 million while taking on $7 million in dead money. Buffalo also has the option of releasing corner Stephon Gimore to save $11 million without penalty, but he is too valuable to let walk. Linebacker Manny Lawson could also be cut to save a shade under $2 million.

Let’s say that Williams and Lawson are cut, that gives the Bills an estimated $10 million in cap space. Considering the draft class typically costs $5 million to sign, Buffalo has very little wiggle room. In essence, Whaley needs to nail the draft or go into the 2016 season with the same team, just sans Williams and Lawson.

For Buffalo, it has to be infuriating. This is a talented team that simply needs another piece or two to truly compete, and it will be hard to come by.