The Buffalo Bills have a clear safety issue, no doubt about it. Damar Hamlin hits the injured reserve and their starters, Taylor Rapp and Cole Bishop, are a genuine weak spot that is consistently taken advantage of. Fortunately for the Bills, there's plenty of free agents who could contribute to this secondary. Brandon Beane is unafraid to make the in-season moves, but what move to make?
Safety options Bills need to think about signing
Jordan Whitehead
At only 28, Jordan Whitehead should be playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers right now. Tragically, a car accident in January resulted in his contract being voided due to a non-football injury, per Mike Garafolo.
Before that, he'd been a major player on multiple rosters. In his 7 seasons, Whitehead has started every game since his sophomore year, and 11 of 15 as a rookie. The picture of health until his accident, Whitehead is as consistent as any safety in the NFL.
Now, Whitehead has been medically cleared to return to the league, and is actively seeking an opportunity. His previous contract, with an AAV of $4.5m, would be greater than what he can earn right now, but he must play this season to show he's worth a multi-year contract this offseason.
Jordan Whitehead would plausibly be an upgrade, and the safety room needs another body at least until the return of Damar Hamlin, if not beyond. A cheap option with little downside, Whitehead is #1 on our board.
Justin Simmons
A 4-time 2nd-team All-Pro, prime Justin Simmons would be one of the best players in the Buffalo Bills defense. The Justin Simmons of today could still start. It's far from perfect, but he's a safety with the zone coverage skills and vision to cap off the secondary with veteran precision. There are few better options available, and arguably none on this roster. He signed a deal with the Falcons in-season in 2024, and could do the same in 2025.
As with many of the best remaining free agents, the former Denver Broncos safety is 31, playing in the twilight of his career, and seeking another shot at a Super Bowl. In the AFC right now, there are few clear cut contenders, but the Bills are amongst them, and an ideal landing spot for a player like Simmons. Likely to sign for close to the veteran minimum on the remainder of this season, he's an affordable option with the experience and security to play free safety effectively in the Bills defense.
Marcus Maye
Marcus Maye is familiar to Bills fans as the player who gave them trouble whenever they visited New Jersey from 2017-2021. Now, he's available to them as an athlete who can make strong tackles and put a cap on runners in space. It's something Buffalo needs help with. He's a capable player with 8 seasons of competing under his belt.
Admittedly, Maye struggled to make the cut in a weak Miami Dolphins secondary in 2024, and was claimed by the Chargers off waivers in November, after his release. It's not a resounding or emphatic signing, but Maye is only 28, and has the physical upside to push Cole Bishop for a starting role and provide solid snaps from the strong safety position.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson
CJGJ is extremely versatile, making him desirable as a cornerback and a safety. However, there have been reported character issues, and he was released for the second time this season (Houston Texans) after just a week with the Baltimore Ravens.
Perhaps C.J. Gardner-Johnson is seeking the right landing spot, perhaps he's just not the player that anyone needs right now- Either could be true. What we do know is that the Buffalo Bills need help now, and Gardner-Johnson could plausibly start in this defense.