Veteran safety Jordan Poyer is headed back to the Buffalo Bills after spending last season with the Miami Dolphins, his agents told NFL insider Jordan Schultz. He is expected to join Buffalo on its practice squad, a move reported by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
Poyer, 34, is well known to Bills fans, having played in Buffalo from 2017 through 2023. He earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors with the team in 2021 and 2022. Last year in Miami, he signed a one-year, $2 million contract and contributed 98 combined tackles over 16 games.
The four-time Bills captain helped set the tone on defense during his previous tenure, but Buffalo released him in March 2024 to save roughly $5.7 million in cap space. He then signed with the Dolphins, though he later indicated the transition to South Florida hadn’t gone as hoped. “Last year was extremely tough year on so many levels. Our team wasn’t very good, I didn’t play as well as I wanted to,” Poyer said in May. “It was just a really tough year, transitioning from Buffalo to Miami. Cultures being different, systems being different. It just didn’t work out the way anyone had hoped.” He added, “It’d be ideal to have a fantasy ending and be able to retire a Bill, but who knows?”
If the move becomes official, it would give Buffalo a chance to cap off a long-running chapter in the safety position. The Bills’ final roster listed four safeties: Taylor Rapp and Cole Bishop slated to start ahead of backups Damar Hamlin and Jordan Hancock. Darrick Forrest, who was brought in as a veteran free agent earlier this offseason, was among the final cuts. Rapp (knee) and Bishop (quad) have missed time during training camp, and Bishop is aiming to progress in his second NFL season.
What Poyer’s return could mean for Buffalo
– Leadership and stability in a secondary that’s dealing with injuries to its current starters. Poyer’s experience and previous comfort level with the Bills’ defense could help steadier play and communication.
– Depth behind an injured-friendly group. Rapp and Bishop’s health issues have underscored the need for veteran insurance in the back end, something Poyer could supply on a practice-squad basis with potential to move up as needed.
– A possible path to a deeper postseason run. Reuniting with a familiar system and coaching staff could accelerate Poyer’s impact as Buffalo looks to shore up its defense as the team navigates a demanding schedule.
Summary
Jordan Poyer’s anticipated return to Buffalo, after a one-year stint with the Dolphins, adds a veteran, playmaking presence to the Bills’ defense. While the immediate role appears to be on the practice squad, his leadership and familiarity with Buffalo’s scheme could be a valuable asset as the Bills manage injuries and look to strengthen their secondary for a playoff push.
If you’d like, I can add a brief sidebar with potential salary and contract cap implications for Buffalo, or craft a shorter teaser version for social media. Additionally, we can include a short explainer on how practice-squad moves can evolve into active-roster opportunities during the season.