Tag: Buffalo Bills

Bills release veteran safety Geno Stone in notable final roster cut

By: @OOSSports

Geno Stone

Geno Stone’s stay with the Buffalo Bills lasted only a few months.

The Bills officially released the veteran safety Sunday as part of its final roster reductions ahead of the 2026 NFL season. NFL insider Jordan Schultz first reported the move earlier in the day before the Bills included Stone among 21 players released while setting their initial 53-man roster.

The decision represents a notable turn after Buffalo signed Stone during the opening stretch of free agency in March. Stone agreed to a one-year, $1.4025 million contract carrying only $187,500 in guaranteed money. His release leaves the Bills with $187,500 in dead money while creating approximately $1.075 million in salary-cap savings.

Schultz reported that a return to Buffalo’s practice squad remains possible, although Stone intends to explore opportunities elsewhere first. Because the 27-year-old has six accrued NFL seasons, he becomes a free agent immediately rather than going through waivers.

Geno Stone loses out in crowded Bills safety room

Stone entered training camp competing for a role in a Buffalo secondary that was undergoing significant changes.

Cole Bishop and offseason addition C.J. Gardner-Johnson emerged as the Bills’ starting safety combination, while Damar Hamlin remained on the roster as experienced depth. Rookie Jalon Kilgore also survived Buffalo’s final cuts, giving the organization a younger developmental option at the position.

That left Stone fighting for a reserve role despite entering camp with substantially more starting experience than several players around him.

Stone started all 34 regular-season games for the Cincinnati Bengals over the previous two seasons. He recorded six interceptions and 185 tackles during that stretch before Cincinnati allowed him to reach free agency.

Buffalo’s decision therefore appears less about Stone’s résumé and more about roster construction.

Gardner-Johnson brings versatility and proven starting experience, while Bishop remains a young piece the Bills expect to develop further. Hamlin offers veteran familiarity, and Kilgore’s status as a rookie draft pick gave Buffalo an incentive to keep him rather than expose him to waivers.

Stone, meanwhile, could be released without the same procedural risk.

Geno Stone’s ball production could attract free-agent interest

Stone should not have difficulty generating at least some attention on the open market.

Few safeties have produced interceptions at his rate over the past three seasons.

Stone recorded seven interceptions with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, four with Cincinnati in 2024 and two more in 2025. His 13 interceptions over that three-year span came with 246 career interception-return yards and two defensive touchdowns. He owns 14 career interceptions and 21 passes defended overall.

His 2025 season also showed that his game extends beyond playing the ball in coverage.

Stone started all 17 games for Cincinnati and finished with more than 100 tackles while recording two sacks. That production came after he transitioned into a larger role closer to the line of scrimmage.

The concerns are also easy to understand.

Stone graded poorly overall last season, with Pro Football Focus assigning him a 54.3 defensive grade that ranked 81st among 98 qualified safeties. His coverage grade also ranked near the bottom of the position.

For teams evaluating veteran depth, that creates an interesting profile.

Stone offers proven takeaway production, extensive starting experience and the ability to play multiple safety roles. However, he may need the right defensive structure to maximize those strengths while limiting his weaknesses in space and tackling.

Bills make difficult choice during final roster cuts

The timing of Stone’s release reflects the reality of NFL cutdown weekend.

Buffalo entered Sunday needing to reduce its summer roster to the league-mandated 53-player limit after completing its preseason schedule. Stone ultimately joined a long list of veterans and younger players across the NFL who lost roster battles during the final round of cuts.

The Bills officially released 21 players Sunday while also placing Tyrell Shavers on the reserve/PUP list, Zane Durant on injured reserve and Phidarian Mathis on the reserve/suspended list.

Stone’s departure stands out because Buffalo signed him only five months earlier with a legitimate opportunity to compete for playing time.

Instead, the Bills decided their safety room could move forward without him.

For Buffalo, the financial consequences are minimal. For Stone, the next question is whether another team values his ball production and starting experience enough to offer an immediate active-roster opportunity.

If not, a return to Buffalo remains possible.

His first stint with the Bills never reached the regular season, but his time with the organization may not necessarily be over.

Thanks for reading OutOfSightSports. Follow @OOSSports across social media for the latest sports news, analysis, and viral moments. Then check out the latest episode of the OutOfSightSports YouTube series, where we highlight five potential fantasy football sleepers who could help win your league in 2026.

Read More

Bills Acquire DJ Moore in Trade With Bears: Who Won the Deal?

oossports's avatar

3/5/2026

oossports

The Buffalo Bills made a significant move to upgrade their receiving corps, acquiring wide receiver DJ Moore from the Chicago Bears.

According to multiple reports, Chicago is sending Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick to Buffalo in exchange for a 2026 second-round selection.

The deal represents a notable shift for Bills general manager Brandon Beane, who last offseason strongly defended the team’s wide receiver group despite outside criticism.

With Moore now joining quarterback Josh Allen in Buffalo, the Bills are clearly making another push to strengthen their offense.

Bills Trade Grade: B

Buffalo addressed a clear need by bringing in an experienced receiver who can still stretch defenses and create separation.

Moore gives Allen another reliable target and provides a veteran presence in a receiver room that struggled to produce consistently last season. The Bills had been relying on younger options and late-season additions, and the move signals the organization recognized the need for more stability.

The receiver is coming off a quieter season statistically, finishing with 50 catches for 682 yards. Still, context matters. Chicago spread the ball around within its offense, limiting Moore’s volume.

Moore also has familiarity with Buffalo offensive coordinator Joe Brady from their time together with the Carolina Panthers, where Moore produced some of the best seasons of his career.

However, the deal comes with financial commitment. Moore is scheduled to earn $24.5 million annually over the next two seasons, with additional guarantees tied to later years of his contract. That cost adds pressure for Buffalo to get meaningful production immediately.

Moore strengthens the group, but the Bills still lack a dominant above-the-rim receiver that could completely transform the offense. As a result, the move improves the roster but doesn’t fully solve Buffalo’s long-term receiver questions.

Bears Trade Grade: A

For Chicago, the trade is largely about roster construction and financial flexibility.

By moving Moore, the Bears clear his $16.5 million salary from their cap and avoid future guaranteed money tied to the contract. Instead of cutting the receiver and receiving nothing in return, Chicago turns the situation into valuable draft capital.

The additional second-round pick gives the front office more flexibility as it continues reshaping the roster.

The Bears also appear comfortable with their younger pass-catching group. Wide receiver Luther Burden III finished last season strongly, while tight end Colston Loveland and former first-round pick Rome Odunze remain key pieces of the offense moving forward.

Moore played an important role during Chicago’s transition period, but the team now appears committed to a younger core.

The move also creates additional financial flexibility that could allow the Bears to pursue other major upgrades this offseason.

Final Takeaway

Buffalo adds a proven receiver who can help elevate its offense immediately, making the move logical for a team pursuing a Super Bowl window.

Chicago, however, maximizes the long-term value by clearing cap space and gaining a valuable draft asset.

Trade Grades:
Bears: A
Bills: B

Read More

Broncos Elevate Caleb Lohner Ahead of Bills Playoff Matchup

oossports's avatar

Josh Davis

oossports

The Denver Broncos elevated rookie tight end Caleb Lohner and wide receiver Elijah Moore from the practice squad ahead of Saturday’s game vs. the Buffalo Bills. The decision, announced by the team on X (formerly known as Twitter), adds intrigue as the Broncos prepare for a high-stakes playoff environment with little margin for error.

Strategic Practice Squad Call-Ups

Denver usually makes postseason elevations on purpose. These moves indicate preparation rather than coincidence, as the Broncos seek to add flexibility and unpredictability to their offensive plans.

Neither player is expected to handle a large workload. Still, both bring traits that could matter in specific situations.

Caleb Lohner Set for First NFL Action

Lohner, a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, spent the regular season developing on the practice squad. The 6-foot-7 former basketball player entered the league as a long-term project, but his size creates immediate red-zone intrigue.

Head coach Sean Payton praised Lohner’s development throughout the offseason. Even a limited role could force Buffalo’s defense to adjust, especially near the goal line.

Elijah Moore Adds Speed Against Former Team

Moore’s elevation carries added intrigue. The former second-round pick joined Denver’s practice squad after Buffalo waived him earlier this season. Saturday marks his first appearance with the Broncos and his first game against his former team.

Moore adds speed and big-play ability to the offense. His familiarity with Buffalo’s personnel could factor into situational packages designed to stretch the field.

Sean Payton’s Postseason Mindset

Payton had several weeks to prepare for this matchup, and these elevations reflect that planning. He has a long history of using unexpected personnel in playoff games to gain an edge.

While Lohner and Moore may see limited snaps, the element of surprise matters. One well-timed play can shift momentum in January football.

What the Moves Signal for Denver

By elevating Caleb Lohner and Elijah Moore, the Broncos emphasize flexibility and optionality as they chase a deeper playoff run.

In the postseason, contributions do not need to be large to be meaningful. Sometimes, one snap is enough.

Thank you for reading this article and for visiting the site. We appreciate your support and encourage you to check out the OutOfSightSports YouTube series, including our latest episode below. You can also find us across social media for more coverage, updates, and analysis.

Read More

Jordan Poyer Reflects on NFL Future, Open to Buffalo Return After Tough 2024 Season

By: OutOfSightSports

May 16th, 2025

Jordan Poyer Reflects on NFL Future, Open to Buffalo Return After Tough 2024 Season

NEW YORK — After 12 seasons in the NFL, veteran safety Jordan Poyer is weighing his future in football as he remains unsigned heading into the 2025 campaign. The 34-year-old, who spent 2024 with the Miami Dolphins, told NFL Network’s Good Morning Football on Wednesday that he is embracing the possibility of retirement — though he would “absolutely” love to play one more season, ideally with the Buffalo Bills.

“I love the game, you know?” Poyer said during his appearance. “I’m in a place right now where I played 12 years — extremely thankful and blessed… Last year was an extremely tough year on so many levels.”

Poyer signed with Miami last offseason after a successful seven-year run in Buffalo. However, the Dolphins missed the playoffs, and Poyer — adjusting to a new system — struggled to recapture his Pro Bowl form from 2022. It marked his first season without postseason football since 2018.

Appearing relaxed and reflective, Poyer admitted he’s enjoying his time away from football, though the itch to return persists.

“Obviously, transitioning from Buffalo to Miami — cultures being different, systems being different — it just didn’t work out the way anybody had hoped,” he said. “But at the same time, I’m thankful for it all… Would I like to play again? Absolutely. Whatever that looks like. It’d be dope — it’d be ideal — to have a fantasy ending and be able to retire a Bill, but who knows?”

Poyer’s affinity for Buffalo is clear. He spent the prime of his career with the franchise, becoming a central figure in the team’s defensive identity alongside fellow safety Micah Hyde. Together, they helped elevate Sean McDermott’s defense into one of the league’s most respected units, with Poyer earning All-Pro honors in 2021 and a Pro Bowl nod in 2022.

“Extremely thankful for the Bills organization,” he said. “That’s my home. My heart is always going to be there.”

A return to Buffalo would make sense in terms of familiarity with the system, but the Bills have moved forward with younger options. Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp are currently penciled in as starters, and Poyer’s role — if signed — would likely be reduced to veteran depth and locker-room leadership.

Complicating Poyer’s free agency is a declining market for safeties, a trend he openly addressed during the interview.

“There was a time where it seemed like the safety market was booming,” Poyer said. “Now it’s almost like the running back situation. Do you pay these guys who are coming downhill and hitting All-Pro running backs all day? Depends on the system, the connections. There are a lot of talented safeties out there who should be getting their bags.”

Still unsigned, Poyer may wait deep into the offseason for the right opportunity — potentially mimicking Hyde, who returned to Buffalo late last season in a depth role before announcing his retirement.

Whether or not a similar path awaits Poyer remains uncertain. But if his NFL journey does continue, he knows where he wants it to end.

Read More