In the offseason, the Buffalo Bills were faced with some difficult choices. The trade of wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans, which put Buffalo at the top of the NFL history for the greatest dead-cap charge for a single player, was one of the biggest moves.
Not everything was lost with Diggs’ departure, though, as Tre’Davious White, Jordan Poyer, and Mitch Morse were among the important veterans that One Bills Drive had to let go. The Bills Mafia will see several of these players again in 2024—some may say that’s good news. Naturally, the drawback is that they will be positioned on opposite sidelines.
Buffalo will take on Poyer in Week 2 when the Bills take on the Miami Dolphins. Poyer played for Buffalo for the last seven years, during which he developed into one of the league’s top safeties. In addition to Poyer, Siran Neal has performed in South Beach. Neal played special teams and as a backup in the secondary for Buffalo for the first seven years of his NFL career.
When the Bills play the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 3, we’ll see wide receiver Gabe Davis and centre Mitch Morse. Josh Allen, the quarterback, benefited greatly from the guidance and leadership of Morse, who led Buffalo’s offensive line as captain and showed him the art of a great leader.
Although Davis was a captain last season as well, his on-field performance throughout his career has always been hit or miss. He wouldn’t make a single reception in certain games, but in others, he would show glimpses of the receiver who scored four touchdowns in one postseason contest.
When the Baltimore Ravens play the Bills in Week 4, wide receiver Deonte Harty will be sidelined. Harty’s incredible punt return touchdown in Week 18 against the Dolphins, which spurred the club to victory and the AFC East division title, remains the squad’s most memorable moment from last season.
In Week 5, the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans will play a massive reunion. Drama will abound in this game because, well, Stefon Diggs is now a member of the Texans. Over the previous two seasons, there have been rumours regarding Diggs’ dissatisfaction in Buffalo. It would be intriguing to watch what happens during pregame and whether Josh Allen shakes hands with his former wide receiver. Diggs was a standout player with the Buffalo Bills, recording four seasons of 1,000 yards or more in a row and emerging as one of the team’s best wide receivers ever. Tim Settle Jr. has also arrived in Houston, in addition to Diggs.
After a few weeks, the reunion tour comes to an end when linebacker Tyrel Dodson of the Seattle Seahawks makes an appearance in Week 8. One of the biggest defensive surprises of the previous season was Dodson, who replaced injured linebacker Matt Milano. Dodson was among the finest defensive players in the NFL last season, according to Pro Football Focus’s grades.
When the club plays the 49ers in Week 13 later in the season, edge rusher Leonard Floyd will get another opportunity to see his old colleagues. With just one sack in the final two months of the 2023 NFL season, Floyd was essentially a non-factor for the Bills after being a machine in the first half of the season.
The final reunion in Week 14 could be the worst blow to Bills Mafia. Tre’Davious White, a cornerback, was cut by the Bills this past spring after rupturing his Achilles last season. He is currently with the Los Angeles Rams. White was the first player chosen by head coach Sean McDermott and his staff, and he played a major role in establishing the ethos that McDermott has had the squad follow from the beginning. White led by example in the locker room and gave his all on the pitch.
