3 Buffalo Bills players impacted by Jordan Poyer re-signing
By Kevin Devine
Terrel Bernard’s chances of starting increase With Jordan Poyer back in the mix
Terrel Bernard is a second-year linebacker out of Baylor. He was drafted by the Bills in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. While he is undersized for an NFL linebacker at just 6’0” and 224 pounds, he is fast and incredibly smart – having earned a degree in Kinesiology at Baylor. He was highly recommended to Sean McDermott by Baylor head coach Dave Aranda entering the draft.
With linebacker Tremaine Edmunds agreeing to a staggering $72 million deal with the Chicago Bears, who needed to spend money to get over the NFL minimum for the salary cap, the Bills seemed to have a need at linebacker. However, after signing Poyer, they now return 10 of their 11 starters from 2022 when the defense was dominant for most of the season, and as mentioned previously they add back in Micah Hyde.
Bernard, having the tools and instincts that the Bills tend to value, and now having a solid defense returning around him may find an unexpected opportunity to start. Unless the markets for Bobby Wagner fall apart, and he comes to the Bills on an under market-value contract, expect to see the Bills draft a linebacker and head to camp with Bernard at the forefront of competition for the 11th spot on their defense.