One of the Buffalo Bills’ longtime defensive stalwarts, safety Jordan Poyer, has found a new home within the AFC East. Poyer has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins, as per ESPN Insider Adam Schefter. Additionally, the Dolphins bolstered their defense by signing pass rusher Shaq Barrett.
The Bills released Poyer last Friday due to a cap crunch, alongside notable players such as center Mitch Morse, cornerbacks Siran Neal and Tre’Davious White, running back Nyheim Hines, and receiver Deonte Harty. This roster shakeup was necessary as Buffalo approached free agency over the salary cap.
Poyer is the latest former Bill to secure a new contract. Linebacker Leonard Floyd has signed a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, and receiver Gabe Davis inked a three-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Since joining the Bills in 2017, Poyer established himself as one of the premier safeties in the NFL. Over seven seasons in Orchard Park, he amassed 22 interceptions, 48 passes defended, eight forced fumbles, 11 sacks, and 682 tackles. His 2023 season saw a dip in production, with no interceptions and only one forced fumble, though he still recorded 100 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, and two quarterback hits.
Poyer’s impact on the Bills extended beyond his on-field stats. He played a crucial role in the cultural transformation of the franchise, joining alongside safety Micah Hyde and head coach Sean McDermott in 2017. His leadership and performance helped the Bills become a consistent playoff contender. However, his tenure in Buffalo will be overshadowed by his presence on the Dolphins’ sideline when the two teams clash at least twice next season.
While Bills fans will surely miss Poyer’s contributions, his legacy in Buffalo remains significant as he was instrumental in elevating the team’s defensive standards and competitive spirit.
