Buffalo Bills' DaQuan Jones Doubles as Reporter, GM in Penn State Reunion

The Buffalo Bills re-signed defensive tackle DaQuan Jones and subsequently acted upon his recommendation by adding Jones' former college teammate to the defense.

Defensive lineman DaQuan Jones during practice. / Jamie Germano/Democrat and Chronicle /

It was quite the Adam Schefter impersonation from an unlikely outlet with direct knowledge of the situation.

Buffalo Bills' defensive tackle DaQuan Jones posted a social media message saying free agent Austin Johnson would join the reigning AFC East division champions, and it came to fruition less than one week later.

Five days after Jones' report, the source of which was most definitely Johnson himself, the Bills officially announced the signing of the former Los Angeles Chargers' starting lineman on Thursday. Johnson, who started all 17 games for the Bolts in 2023, will team up with his fellow defensive tackle for the third time in a different setting.

Nov 13, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) releases a / Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

"Austin coincidentally played at Penn State and went to the Titans," said Bills general manager Brandon Beane while speaking at the league meetings before the deal was complete. "DaQuan broke the news, whenever that was, yesterday, his next life."

Jones and Johnson spent two seasons together in the same position group at Penn State although the latter red-shirted the 2012 campaign. With Jones serving as the elder statesman, the pair teamed up to fortify the interior of the Nittany Lions' defensive line for 12 games in 2013.

Jones was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in Round 4 at the 2014 NFL Draft, and the two players were reunited two years later when the Titans made Johnson a second-round selection.

With Jones and Johnson in the rotation, Tennessee featured a top-4 run defense in 2016 and 2017. They spent four seasons as Titans teammates until Johnson left in free agency for the New York Giants.

"They have a very similar skill set," said Beane. "They're both gonna start as a 1 technique. I think, even DaQuan, you've seen, in our system, improve his pass rush, and we do think Austin can kinda follow that same trajectory."

Jones has 4.5 sacks and 16 quarterback hits in 23 games with the Bills. Johnson has 8.0 career sacks, including a career-high 3.5 takedowns in 2021 as a Giant.

"Ultimately, we're happy with where we're at and the guys we've ended up [with], starting with getting DaQuan back," said Beane, who let defensive tackles Tim Settle and Poona Ford walk in free agency.

The Bills re-signed Jones to a two-year deal to play alongside Ed Oliver. Next, they added free agent DeShawn Williams and Johnson to the mix.

"Brought him in for a visit. Great young man. He talked about the importance of a winning culture, winning team. And, obviously, DaQuan was helping sell our situation," said Beane.