In a move to create salary cap space ahead of NFL free agency, the Buffalo Bills have decided to part ways with a long-time cornerstone of their defense in safety Jordan Poyer.
Buffalo Bills Release Former All-Pro Safety Jordan Poyer
The Bills plan to release their 2021 All-Pro defender and 2022 Pro Bowler, with ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reporting the move on Wednesday.
Poyer has suited up for three different franchises in a career that started in 2013, but he’s spent the bulk of his time in western New York.
He became a beloved mainstay on the defensive backend for Buffalo.
Poyer started in 107 total games for the Bills. He produced four seasons where he hit 100 total tackles or more during his seven years in Buffalo.
In addition to his tackles, Poyer delivered these personal-best marks for the Bills:
- Career-high three forced fumbles in 2019 — also the same season that saw his most career fumble recoveries at four.
- Snatched five interceptions twice in 2017 and 2021, both campaigns with the Bills.
- Produced three sacks from his safety spot in the ’21 season.
- His career-best 124 total tackles in 2020 came in a Bills uniform.
While Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs became the face of the Buffalo offense, Poyer was considered one of the hearts of the Bills’ defense.
Plus, before he arrived with Bills Mafia, Poyer had only started in a combined 10 games: four in 2015 and then six the following season with the Cleveland Browns.
Poyer also had a brief stop with the Philadelphia Eagles, the team that drafted him in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Poyer, though, never played a down for the Eagles.
What the Release Means for Buffalo and Poyer
For Poyer, he carried a cap number of $7.5 million ahead of 2024.
Poyer signed multiple deals during his time in Buffalo. His first one was a four-year, $13 million signing that was completed in 2017. Contract No. 2 with the Bills was a two-year, $19.5 million deal. But his final contract was a two-year agreement that came with a total of $12.5 million — which included a potential opt-out for 2024.
Poyer was originally set to officially become an unrestricted free agent for the 2025 offseason period. But by releasing him, Poyer carries $2 million in dead cap while also having a base salary of $4.7 million for 2024.
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With Poyer as a leader of the secondary group, Buffalo ranked ninth against total yards while finishing both eight against the pass and seventh overall in touchdown throws allowed. Poyer was the team’s second-leading tackler, with 100 total.
Meanwhile, on the Bills’ side, this signifies the defense will become younger in the secondary ahead of ’24. Fellow veteran safety Micah Hyde is facing an uncertain future with the team. His contract is up and is currently considering retirement. Hyde, 33, joined Poyer as one of the first signings for then-new head coach Sean McDermott in 2017 and formed a stout safety tandem across the league.
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