Should the Buffalo Bills explore the option of signing linebacker Deion Jones?

Most, if not all Bills fans may agree that if you take all of the Buffalo Bills units on the team, the linebacker room is the unit that has more questions than answers. Outside of All-Pro Matt Milano, the Bills seem to be thin at talent of who can replace the shoes of Tremaine Edmunds.

As the Bills prepare to move to St. John’s Fisher for training camp, there will be a competition at the other linebacker spot. Potential replacements include A.J. Klein, second-year player Terrel Bernard, and rookie Dorian Williams. 

If the Bills are looking to add more competition and help solidify their second linebacker position, they may want to at least consider bringing in linebacker Deion Jones, who was with the Atlanta Falcons from 2016-2021 and then traded to the Cleveland Browns last season. Jones is a veteran who could bring in more of a valuable skill set than other options at linebacker. 

In seven seasons, Jones has had five seasons where he had over 100 combined tackles (696 total). He has also put up 11 sacks, 23 quarterback hits, five forced fumbles, 12 interceptions (in which he has had atleast one in six out of seven seasons) and five defensive touchdowns.

In Atlanta, Jones was a force to be reckoned with, playing in every game for the Falcons from 2019-2021. He is a speedy linebacker who can cover tight ends which is exactly what the job was of Edmunds when he was with the Bills. 

He only played in 11 games for the Browns in 2022, having been traded in the middle of the season where he had 44 total tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. If you take away his down year last season, Jones has been a great player in the NFL and he is only 28 years old.

If the Bills do not feel comfortable with their current core at linebacker, Jones should be a free agent that Brandon Beane considers signing to help solidify the middle of the defense that is up in the air going into the season opener. 

Another positive note to this potential pairing - having Jones and Milano to help mentor the young guys in Williams and Bernard can help benefit their growth for their careers. They would be able to gain guidance on how to improve their coverage, as well as see the field clearly.