Poyer spent seven seasons with the Bills and was an instrumental part of Buffalo’s resurgence to perennial contention. Alongside Micah Hyde, Poyer was a key presence in the backend of Sean McDermott’s defense, earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl seasons in 2021 and 2022, respectively. It was an endearing success story for a former seventh-round pick who was released during his rookie season before spending his next three years as a fringe starter with the Browns.
“Extremely thankful for the Bills organization, Philadelphia organization, Cleveland, Miami, but in particular, Buffalo,” he said. “That’s my home. My heart is always going to be there. I’m always thankful for all the moments that I had there, all the teammates, all the cool people, like (GMFB guest host) Mitch [Morse], that I met out there. I’m just playing it by ear right now, but would I love to play? Absolutely.”
Returning to the Bills would make sense because of his familiarity with the defense, but Buffalo is well equipped with Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp at the starting safety positions. Poyer’s leadership in the locker room could make for a quality addition in terms of depth, but him seeing ample playing time would be another thing.
Poyer pointed to the current safety market as a possible issue for his current unemployment.
“There was a time where it seemed like the safety market was booming a few years ago,” Poyer said. “The safety market has always been kinda that ‘do we give them the money or do we not?’ It’s almost like the running back money. It’s almost like ‘do we pay these safeties who are coming and playing 80 plays a game and having to come downhill and hitting these All-Pro running backs all day?’ It depends on, I guess, the system that you’re in, the connections that you have. There’s a lot of really talented safeties out there that should be getting their bags, but that’s just the market and how it is right now. You can kinda see that in some of the days that are taking place. But I’m all for all the safeties in the league getting as much money as they can.”
Biding his time for a potential return to Buffalo is certainly in play for Poyer, even months from now. It could be a similar situation to that of Hyde, who was a late-season addition by the Bills for depth as they prepared for a playoff run. Hyde declared 2024 would be his final season upon signing to their practice squad.
It remains to be seen if Poyer will have that same chance for one last run in Buffalo or elsewhere.