Van Demark, a restricted free agent, had beentendered by the Billsearlier this offseason at $3.52 million with a right-of-first-refusal designation, giving Buffalo the ability to match any outside offer. The team declined, allowing him to sign with Minnesota. Van Demark's salary was $1.03 million in 2025.
Van Demark originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent and the Bills will receive no draft compensation.
Van Demark, who turns 28 on March 22, spent four seasons in Buffalo after joining the team's practice squad in 2022. He developed into the Bills' primary swing tackle, appearing in 43 games with six starts over the past three seasons.
Buffalo signed veteran safety Geno Stone to a one-year contract.
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
Stone has played six NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. He has appeared in 85 career games with 53 starts, recording 312 tackles, 14 interceptions and 21 pass breakups.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
TheBuffalo Billsaddressed an open spot in the secondary with the signing of veteran safety CJ Gardner-Johnson.
The contract is a one-year agreement worth up to $6 million.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
What makes the 28-year-old Gardner-Johnson such an intriguing addition is that he gives the Bills great flexibility, a player who just last season played snaps as a box safety, slot corner, free safety and even a few boundary corner snaps.
(David Banks, David Banks-Imagn Images)
TheBuffalo Bills'first significant signing of the 2026 free agency signing period was agreeing to a three-year deal with edge rusher Bradley Chubb.
(Jeff Romance, Imagn Images)
Chubb missed all of the 2024 season in Miami due to a torn ACL, then returned to start 17 games in 2025, registering 8.5 sacks, 48 QB pressures, two forced fumbles, one recovery and 47 tackles. He played primarily as the Dolphins right outside linebacker, logging 615 of his 763 defensive snaps from that side.
(Jim Rassol, Jim Rassol / USA TODAY NETWORK)
Buffalo signed backup quarterback Kyle Allen to a two-year, $4.1 million contract worth up to $6.1 million.
(Greg Fiume, Getty Images)
Allen gives Buffalo a familiar replacement behind starter Josh Allen. He previously served as the Bills’ backup in 2023, appearing in seven games but not attempting a pass as Josh Allen again handled virtually every meaningful snap.
(Daniel Bartel, Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports)
The Bills signed cornerback Dee Alford to a three-year contract worth up to $21 million which includes around $10.2 million guaranteed.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
Three of Alford's four career interceptions came last season when he also made a career-best 13 pass breakups. One of the picks came against Josh Allen in Atlanta's 24-14 Week 6 victory over the Bills. I
(Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)
1/10
Meet the five free agents the Bills have added so far in 2026
Buffalo signed veteran safety Geno Stone to a one-year contract.
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
1/10
Meet the five free agents the Bills have added so far in 2026
Buffalo signed veteran safety Geno Stone to a one-year contract.
(Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
2/10
Meet the five free agents the Bills have added so far in 2026
Stone has played six NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals. He has appeared in 85 career games with 53 starts, recording 312 tackles, 14 interceptions and 21 pass breakups.
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer)
3/10
Meet the five free agents the Bills have added so far in 2026
TheBuffalo Billsaddressed an open spot in the secondary with the signing of veteran safety CJ Gardner-Johnson.
The contract is a one-year agreement worth up to $6 million.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
4/10
Meet the five free agents the Bills have added so far in 2026
What makes the 28-year-old Gardner-Johnson such an intriguing addition is that he gives the Bills great flexibility, a player who just last season played snaps as a box safety, slot corner, free safety and even a few boundary corner snaps.
(David Banks, David Banks-Imagn Images)
5/10
Meet the five free agents the Bills have added so far in 2026
TheBuffalo Bills'first significant signing of the 2026 free agency signing period was agreeing to a three-year deal with edge rusher Bradley Chubb.
(Jeff Romance, Imagn Images)
6/10
Meet the five free agents the Bills have added so far in 2026
Chubb missed all of the 2024 season in Miami due to a torn ACL, then returned to start 17 games in 2025, registering 8.5 sacks, 48 QB pressures, two forced fumbles, one recovery and 47 tackles. He played primarily as the Dolphins right outside linebacker, logging 615 of his 763 defensive snaps from that side.
(Jim Rassol, Jim Rassol / USA TODAY NETWORK)
7/10
Meet the five free agents the Bills have added so far in 2026
Buffalo signed backup quarterback Kyle Allen to a two-year, $4.1 million contract worth up to $6.1 million.
(Greg Fiume, Getty Images)
8/10
Meet the five free agents the Bills have added so far in 2026
Allen gives Buffalo a familiar replacement behind starter Josh Allen. He previously served as the Bills’ backup in 2023, appearing in seven games but not attempting a pass as Josh Allen again handled virtually every meaningful snap.
(Daniel Bartel, Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports)
9/10
Meet the five free agents the Bills have added so far in 2026
The Bills signed cornerback Dee Alford to a three-year contract worth up to $21 million which includes around $10.2 million guaranteed.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
10/10
Meet the five free agents the Bills have added so far in 2026
Three of Alford's four career interceptions came last season when he also made a career-best 13 pass breakups. One of the picks came against Josh Allen in Atlanta's 24-14 Week 6 victory over the Bills. I
(Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)
His role steadily expanded, culminating in a career-high 312 offensive snaps in 2025 while playing all 17 games. He made starts at both tackle spots and provided depth behindDion DawkinsandSpencer Brown.
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Buffalo has younger options who can compete for the swing tackle role, includingAlec Anderson,Tylan GrableandChase Lundt, and could also address offensive line depth in the draft.
