After spending last year in Miami, Poyer is happy for one final ride back in Buffalo: “I’m super excited to run out of that tunnel as a Buffalo Bill on Sunday.”

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Jordan Poyer still remembers that phone call.

“I was actually in Costa Rica at the time with my family.”

The call from Bills GM Brandon Beane in the 2024 offseason, ending the former All-Pro’s eight-year run in Buffalo.

RELATED: Bills list 9 players on injury report ahead of showdown with Kansas City

“I was on the way to golf with my mom and my brother, and I was like, I’m no longer a Buffalo Bill,” Poyer said. “It was a tough pill to swallow.”

Poyer played the 2024 season elsewhere in the AFC East, with division rival Miami.

“I look back and that was a little bit out of frustration, a little bit out of anger about the situation, wanting to see Buffalo twice a year,” Poyer said.

A decision, and season in South Florida, that didn’t go how Poyer envisioned.

“The game tested my soul last year,” Poyer said. “The team I was on, we weren’t connected. It was tough to go to work every day, and it took a lot out of me.”

Poyer says he was ready to retire after last season. But when the opportunity came up to come back to Buffalo, his football soul couldn’t turn down a chance to return where his heart was.

“I wanted to embrace every moment of it,” Poyer said. “Look, I’m not naïve. This is most likely my last one (season). I’m trying to enjoy every moment: the good, the bad, the indifferent and just be part of this team for this run and go out the right way.”

After initially joining the team on the practice squad, this season has Poyer the chance to once again play for the Bills over the last three games, washing away the taste of last season and putting his experience to use.

“I’ve seen a lot of football. I’ve been in this defense a while. I understand how to communicate with the guys around me. I may not be 27 but I can still play the game at a high level.”

Now Poyer is signed to the active roster. And its fitting that for a guy who once made the 15 hour drive to play in a Bills-Chiefs game, it’s this same rivalry that will see Poyer make his first home start since returning to Buffalo on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s almost like if you were reading it in a book, you’d be like there’s no way this is happening, right? Like, there’s no way it’s that perfect.” Poyer said. “I’m super excited to run out of that tunnel as a Buffalo Bill on Sunday with my group of guys.”