All-Pro Safety Jordan Poyer Released, Could Fit with Steelers

The Buffalo Bills made massive changes to their roster on Wednesday to free up cap space. One of the moves was offloading All-Pro veteran safety Jordan Poyer, which saved Buffalo $5.72 million on the cap with $2 million in dead money. Poyer had a salary cap figure of $7.72 million in 2024.

Poyer was a key figure in Buffalo’s secondary for seven seasons, earning a first-team All-Pro selection in 2021 and a Pro Bowl in 2022.

In his seven years with Buffalo, Poyer recorded 682 total tackles (474 solos), 22 interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, nine forced fumbles, 35 tackles for losses and 15 quarterback hits. In addition, he had 100-plus tackles in four of seven seasons in Buffalo.

Poyer, who turns 33 in April, is still a productive player. He just didn’t have the splash plays in 2023, and Buffalo was paying him a lofty salary. For the right price, Pryor would be an ideal fit in Pittsburgh. He just seems like a Steelers-like player that Mike Tomlin would love.

The Steelers need a safety to pair with All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick, too. Damontae Kazee was OK last year at strong safety, but he doesn’t really move the needle.

It was evident last season that Fitzpatrick missed Terrell Edmunds at the opposite safety position. Fitzpatrick had to do too much and couldn’t sit back at his natural free safety position, which led to less splash plays and production.

Poyer was born and raised in Oregon, but he knows all about the rich tradition of the Steelers, as his dad grew up as a Steelers fan. He also knows how important the Terrible Towel is to Steelers Nation.

“My dad grew up a Steelers fan, I’m pretty sure he still is a Steelers fan,” Poyer said on the Pat McAfee Show leading up to the Steelers-Bills wild card game this past January. “That’s one thing he told me, don’t ever pick up one of those Steelers flags and twirl it, son. It’s a curse, don’t ever do it.”

The Steelers have the cap space to offer Poyer a reasonable deal, so this could come to fruition. The Steelers have a need for a safety and Poyer matches up well with what the Steelers look for in players. A Poyer-Fitzpatrick safety tandem is certainly intriguing.