How the NFL waiver wire affects the Buffalo Bills in 2026

To get there, Buffalo must release at least 38 players, some of whom will be subject to waivers. Should any of these players be waived this weekend, they have the potential to be claimed by another team ahead of the Bills in the waiver priority. Buffalo currently sits at 26 in the waiver wire priority.

If another team doesn't claim waiver-eligible players released by the Bills, their contract ends and they become free agents who can return to Buffalo as part of the team's 17-man practice squad. All claims filed for players waived during final roster reductions this weekend are processed and awarded on Monday, August 31, 2026. After that happens, NFL teams can then officially begin assembling their practice squads after the final waiver claim is completed.

What will a new coaching regime decide to do with Buffalo's roster to begin the 2026 season? A team led by quarterback Josh Allen still cannot afford to make the wrong roster moves. The oddsmakers at FanDuel Sportsbook believe the Bills will make the right decisions , and currently list the Bills with the best odds of making the playoffs in the AFC (-330), and the second-best odds (+1000) of winning Super Bowl LXI.