ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — If Jordan Poyer had his way, the safety wouldn’t have left Buffalo in the first place after being released in March 2024 as part of the Bills salary cap-saving purge of veteran players.
Some 17 months later, and after what he called a difficult season with the Miami Dolphins, the 34-year-old Poyer couldn’t resist returning for what might be the final season of his 13-year career. And he’s eager to do so even in a complementary role by signing to the Bills practice squad on Wednesday.
“Last year, it was a super bad taste in my mouth, just the way the season was, the way it could have been my last year in the league,” Poyer said, referring to the ups-and-downs he and the Dolphins endured during an 8-9 season.
“I didn’t want to necessarily go out that way," he added. “This is home. This is where I want to be.”
One of the first free agents signed by the Bills in Sean McDermott’s first season as coach in 2017, Poyer and Micah Hyde spent seven seasons together as Buffalo’s starting safety tandem. Both were credited for playing a key leadership roles in helping transform the franchise — now five-time defending AFC East champions — into a perennial contender.
With Hyde retiring after closing last year on Buffalo’s practice squad, Poyer figured it’s his turn to contribute as both a player and mentor.
“I’m coming in with my head down, just going to work, help the guys, be an extra set of eyes, extra set of ears, and just be of service," Poyer said. “But don’t get me wrong, I am also here to play football at a high level, I still feel like I got a lot left to prove to myself, to this game, to the people around me.”
Poyer was an All-Pro selection in 2021, when he matched a career-high with five interceptions and had three sacks. His production tailed off in finishing with no interceptions in 16 starts last season.
Though it’s unclear how long it’ll take Poyer to get into game shape, general manager Brandon Beane expects the player to make an immediate impact because of his experience and familiarity with the Bills defensive system.
Beane has stayed in contact with Poyer since spring in discussing this exact scenario in serving as a mentor as well as stepping in in the event of an injury.
“The things that we talk about, toughness, an edge, personality, all the things — how do you watch film? — there is just so many things you can pick up from a Jordan Poyer,” Beane said. He said the same applies to 32-year-old defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, who was also added to the practice squad in his fourth stint in Buffalo.
“That’s what I love about both Jordans. They’re selfless. Of course, they’re competitive. If their number’s called, they’re going to go out there and do the best,” Beane said. “But they also understand — it’s do whatever it takes.”
Beane also provided an update on Tre’Davious White in not ruling out the veteran cornerback being available for the season opener against Baltimore on Sept. 7. Beane, however, didn’t reveal the exact nature of the injury White sustained when he hopped off the field with an apparent leg injury in practice on Aug. 21.
“Luckily, this is not any type of season-ending thing. He’s preparing. We’ll take it one day at a time,” Beane said.
The 30-year-old White is back in Buffalo for a seventh season after splitting last year between the Rams and Ravens. He's being counted on to start opposite Christian Benford with rookie first-round pick Maxwell Hairston opening the season on injured reserve with a sprained right knee.
Poyer’s arrival coincides with the Bills facing question marks at safety entering the season.
Last week, McDermott expressed concern in saying he had yet to determine who will start opposite Taylor Rapp. The choice is between second-year player Cole Bishop and fifth-year player Damar Hamlin, who started 14 games next to Rapp last year.
As for Phillips, the 30-year-old's decision to continue his career came down to, as he put it, “Buffalo or nothing," in having kept tabs with the team over the offseason.
“I feel like I have a lot of ball left in me, but I’m OK with being mentor as well,” the 11th-year player said. “I feel like I can still help this team win, but I’m okay with helping the young guys along while doing that.”
Phillips fills a potential immediate need at a position that features rookies T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker playing primary backup roles, and with veteran free agent addition Larry Ogunjobi to miss the first six games serving an NFL suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancers.
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