The Buffalo Bills have replaced an brief hole in their defense led by new coordinator Jim Leonhard.
The Bills have signed former Atlanta Falcons defensive back Dee Alford to a contract at the start of the NFL’s 2026 free agency period.
Alford, 28, is versatile but will take the position of Taron Johnson as Buffalo’s nickel defender. Johnson played a similar role well the defense led by former head coach Sean McDermott but Alford fits Leonhard’s scheme better. That is where Alford has played the majority of the snaps in his career as well.
To get Alford in Buffalo, the team signed him to a three-year contract. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, it’s a deal worth up to $21 million:
Dee Alford signing is a safe Taron Johnson replacement. Similar size, plays nickel, and ability to bump outside corner, and gives you special teams value. Might see more man coming from Bills and DC Leonhard this yr 👀
3‑year, $21M tag sounds like we gon see him on the field https://t.co/vFxGRMVeLY
— 🎙️Rico🎙️ (@Rico_BF_) March 9, 2026
Included in the deal is $10M worth of guaranteed dollars.
As is usually the case, the three-year contract is more likely a lesser contract.
According to Spotrac, after two years of the deal, the team has a potential out. The team could save $1.5M on the salary cap if Alford is released after the 2027 season.
Even so, if Alford performs well, he would likely instead sign a contract extension to keep him in Buffalo.
Bills Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 offseason.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Contract details: Former Falcons CB Dee Alford signs with Bills