Final scores don't count on the win-loss record in the NFL preseason. There are still many lessons to learn when teams are playing these games.
Sunday night surely held some weight for the Buffalo Bills against the Chicago Bears. Buffalo was soundly defeated by the Bears 38-0. The safety coverage was nonexistent during the blowout, and this needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.
It was noticed by the TV fans, Bills Mafia, and especially by the coaching staff, and they were not pleased. However if the Bills want to bring some stability for the secondary, there is a current free agent who could help the team immediately.
Can veteran S Justin Simmons turn around the safety position to help the team?
Head coach Sean McDermott voiced his concern, per Sal Capaccio, with the atrocious performance his team put out there in the 38-0 defeat of the Bears. His postgame comments were straight to the point and nonchalant.
He bluntly stated the importance of watching the tape of the game to see who the team still has that can help them play better in the final preseason game vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. One thing is for sure: Coach McDermott is going to get on his team during film sessions, which will translate to a stricter practice regimen for the players' benefit.
By looking at the larger picture of what position the Bills need to address going forward, it couldn't be clearer that the team needs safety help now. It's the Bills' lucky day as a former Second-Team All-Pro by the name of Justin Simmons revealed "it would be special" to sign with a team like the Bills just a few months ago, as per the "Up and Adams" show hosted by Kay Adams.
Bills, Eagles, Bengals.
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 8, 2025
4x All-Pro safety Justin Simmons says, “it would be special” to sign with one of these teams. Where should he go?@heykayadams | @jsimms1119 pic.twitter.com/l5Mo2WzNdy
Buffalo has what Simmons wants when choosing the next team to play for. The Bills have the roster and also have what it takes to contend for a Super Bowl trophy year after year with the reigning NFL MVP, Josh Allen, at quarterback. Buffalo was one team he mentioned along with Philadelphia and Cincinnati, as they are among the teams that are also in the contention mix.
Signing him to the Bills won't just be with a snap of the fingers, and it's done. The Bills right now have barely over $1.3 million available in cap space, per OverTheCap and just bringing him over without any restructuring or other moves won't cut it.
When you have Brandon Beane as the Bills' general manager, nobody is more willing to help out the team than he is. Some moves he could make are trading receiver Curtis Samuel, who has a $9 million cap hit, and dealing him for a mid-late round draft pick, which would free up space to sign Simmons and have cap space left over to make other trades.
Or they could deal quarterback Mike White to a team that needs him to play more than the Bills do and receive another draft pick in return.
An instant contributor to the defense
After a depressing game last Sunday night, the thought of signing Simmons is more than just an interesting one.
The four-time Second-Team All-Pro selection would also have a significant impact on the development of Jordan Hancock, who is playing Simmons-like in camp and in the preseason. In his nine years in the NFL, the 32-year-old has 124 game starts along with 32 interceptions.
He also boasts 4.5 sacks, more than 600 combined tackles, and even a touchdown to add. 2016 was his first year in the NFL, and since then, he has spent the majority of his career with the Denver Broncos. The lone exception was in 2024, playing for just one season for the Atlanta Falcons.
Let's not forget, Cole Bishop struggled mightily in the preseason game after missing his second consecutive training camp due to injury and missing essential reps. Right now, Bishop is one of the two starters at safety next to Taylor Rapp on the Bills' unofficial depth chart.
Bishop and Damar Hamlin started the preseason game, and Caleb Williams and the Bears' first-team offense just picked them apart, and it looked bad, especially on national TV.
With time left until the opening game in Week 1, if McDermott is serious about getting help in the safety position, now is the time to go out there and see who is available to help out the squad.