​ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 04: Ty Johnson #26 of the Buffalo Bills runs for a touchdown in the second quarter against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Buffalo Bills had a devastating rushing offense last season. Their top dog led the entire league in rushing yardage, becoming the first Bills player to earn that honor since NFL Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson did it during the 1976 season.The players who served as backups last season weren’t slouches, either. With all of Buffalo’s top running backs returning this season, there’s a natural inclination to run it back with the same group. Do the financials make sense — and should that matter in making the decision?In today’s edition of “91 players in 91 days,” we discuss a running back whose role might seem small, but whose absence during the postseason was definitely felt. _____________________________________________________________________________Name: Ty JohnsonNumber: 26Position: RBHeight/Weight: 5’10”, 210 poundsAge: 28 (29 on 9/17/2026)Experience/Draft: 8; selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round (No. 186 overall) of the 2019 NFL DraftCollege: MarylandAcquired: Signed with Buffalo on 8/21/2023Financial situation (per Spotrac): Johnson enters the final year of the two-year deal he signed prior to last season. For the 2026 NFL season, Johnson’s cap hit is $3.275 million. Buffalo can release Johnson prior to Week 1 and carry a dead-cap hit of just $820,000. As a vested veteran, his base salary ($2.22 million) becomes fully guaranteed if he’s on Buffalo’s roster for Week 1, however.2025 Recap: Johnson had basically the same role in Buffalo’s offense during the 2025 season as he did during the 2024 season. He did see a slight uptick in playing time, as he increased his offensive snap count from 316 snaps to 335 and his touch total from 59 touches in 2024 to 74 touches in 2025. Johnson carried 50 times for 200 yards and three touchdowns last season, adding 24 catches for 263 yards and two more receiving scores on 33 targets. He appeared in all 17 regular season games for the second straight season, but a high ankle sprain suffered during the regular-season finale made it so that he missed both of Buffalo’s postseason games. Johnson also did some work on special teams for the Bills, totaling two tackles and returning 11 kickoffs for 240 yards (21.8 yards per return).Positional outlook: Johnson is one of five running backs on the current roster. James Cook III, Frank Gore Jr., Ray Davis, and Ian Wheeler are the others.2026 Offseason: Johnson is fully healthy, having participated all offseason, and he’s ready to go for the start of training camp.2026 Season outlook: Buffalo has to decide a few things as it relates to Johnson this season. First, what is his role in the offense. Second, is that role worth a top-20 cap hit on the club?