4 Bills who could suffer the most from shortened preseason

Four Buffalo Bills who could suffer the most from a shorter 2020 NFL preseason.

Bills defensive end Trent Murphy. (AP Photo/David Richard)

DE Trent Murphy

Unlike the last two, Murphy has plenty of experience in the Bills defensive scheme. But this is more about those around him. Murphy has a lot more company along the D-line in 2020.

Murphy was the starter across from Jerry Hughes, but then Mario Addison was added, who’s going to have a good look at replacing him there. But the Bills run a rotation in head coach Sean McDermott’s defense on the D-line. Still snaps for Murphy? Well… maybe not. There’s rookie AJ Epenesa and Quinton Jefferson to consider as well. Plus a few depth guys who’ve flashed in the past such as Darryl Johnson, Mike Love and Bryan Cox Jr. All those guys have one thing in common as well: They’re cheaper options than Murphy.

The point here is that Murphy is a cap causality candidate this preseason.  Buffalo is not up against the salary cap by any means, but still, a few extra bucks is always welcome. Murphy, 29, is entering the final year of his contract and the Bills could save near $8 million against the cap, per Spotrac, by cutting him. That’s a nice chunk of change. Buffalo could also try to trade Murphy, but with less preseason snaps, Murphy will have less of a chance to show potential suitors what he’s got.

And let’s not just be negative, Murphy can show the Bills he’s worth keeping, too.