The Kansas City Chiefs were unable to lock down a key defender from the 2023 Super Bowl team. But more importantly, they lost the veteran safety to a Buffalo Bills team that desperately needed help in the secondary after making crucial cuts in the previous few weeks.
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The Buffalo Bills lost key players recently
The Bills had a fire sale before free agency to clear cap space. They released Jordan Poyer, Tre’Davious White, and Dane Jackson from the secondary. Per The Athletic‘s post-free agency power rankings, the Bills fell from seventh (post-Super Bowl) to tenth because of the talent the team lost in February and March.:
Quarterback Josh Allen’s contract starts getting expensive this season (from an $18 million cap hit to $30 million), which is one reason why the Bills had to cut so many contracts during free agency.
They spent the money they had on retaining key free agents, including defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, and extending left tackle Dion Dawkins. In the next two seasons, Allen’s cap hit goes up another $33 million, so Buffalo’s window is closing.
The Kansas City Chiefs lose a safety to their AFC rival
Fortunately for the Bills, they added a player from a rival team with their own cap issues. Per Aaron Wilson with KPRC, the Bills signed safety Mike Edwards to a one-year deal.
#Bills signed Mike Edwards to one year deal
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 20, 2024
Edwards is a two-time Super Bowl champion
Edwards has won a Super Bowl with each team he’s played on. He won Super Bowl LV with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Super Bowl LVIII with the Chiefs. Edwards has 235 tackles, eight interceptions, and three touchdowns in his five-year NFL career.
Edwards is the type of player who will come in handy for the Bills if they make the playoffs. While Edwards won’t completely replace Poyer, he could help the defense do its part in a potential Chiefs/Bills playoff matchup. Josh Allen will need to do the rest.
