Buffalo Bills Could Be Heading Toward Reset On Defense

Everything was set up for the Buffalo Bills to get over the hump in the 2023 NFL postseason against the Kansas City Chiefs. For the first time in their rivalry, their postseason matchup was going to be played in Orchard Park with Bills Mafia.

Unfortunately, the outcome remained the same. Buffalo was defeated by Kansas City 27-24, ending their season prematurely in the Divisional Round. With their offseason underway sooner than they had anticipated, the Bills front office began preparations for their roster in 2024.

Heading into the offseason, there are several positions people are keeping an eye on for the Bills. Wide receiver is near the top of that list as Gabe Davis is set to hit free agency and the team could use a more consistent option behind No. 1 option Stefon Diggs. That is if he even remains in Buffalo.

Luckily for the Bills, the 2024 wide receiver class is extremely deep in the draft. But, wide receiver isn’t the only position that they were linked to. According to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic, safety is another position to keep an eye on.

There is a chance Buffalo will revamp the position this offseason. Their current tandem of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer could both be moved on from in the coming weeks according to Buscaglia.

“The Bills were overwhelmingly noncommittal on the future of longtime starting safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer and could even be heading for a full-position reset. The duo have been the starters in Buffalo since 2017 but are both in their 30s. Hyde is out of contract and openly mulling retirement, while Poyer has one year remaining, though the Bills can save almost $6 million to cut him. The team had multiple chances to signal intent to keep Poyer at the combine and didn’t do so, which could mean they want to do a pay cut or a flat-out release. GM Brandon Beane said the team has to determine its next steps at the position, which could even be replacing both players,” wrote Buscaglia.

Age will certainly play into the decision at safety. Poyer turns 33 in April and Hyde turned 33 in December. At the very least, a contingency plan will be put in place this offseason.

As Buscaglia noted, Hyde has already contemplated retirement. The Bills do have 2023 free agent signing Taylor Rapp in the mix who can play one of the safety spots, but a long-term answer at the other spot is up in the air.

With free agency opening on Match 11th, we will get a better idea of what the Bills are planning in the coming days. Buffalo’s defense was solid in 2023, but there could be some big holes to fill on the unit this offseason.