Identifying the Most-Significant Re-signing for Each AFC East Team
In this story:
The National Football League’s free agent signing period has only just begun, and each AFC East team has already prevented at least one of its key veterans from heading elsewhere.
The New York Jets, the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots are all retaining a key contributor to their defensive units. Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins are running it back at the running back position.
Here’s each AFC East team’s most-significant re-signing thus far...
BUFFALO BILLS
S Jordan Poyer
Contract: 2 years (per Bills)
The Bills’ long-time safety tandem will remain intact for the 2023 season.
After testing the free agent market, Poyer has agreed to return to Buffalo on a two-year contract. The veteran safety has spent the last six seasons with the Bills, logging 22 interceptions during that time.
With Micah Hyde having recovered from injury, Buffalo will again feature two starting safeties who boast great instincts and All-Pro credentials. Like Poyer, Hyde joined the Bills for head coach Sean McDermott’s first season in 2017.
Poyer, a former seventh-round draft pick out of Oregon State, fought through a multitude of injuries in 2022. The ballhawk safety, who has always shown a willingness to stop the run, totaled 63 tackles and four interceptions in 12 games last season.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
RB Raheem Mostert
Contract: 2 years, $5.6 million (per Tom Pelissero)
The former San Francisco 49er was both available and productive for head coach Mike McDaniel’s first season in Miami. After signing with the Dolphins last March, Mostert proceeded to gain nearly 1,100 yards from scrimmage in 2022.
The hard-running Mostert set a career high by rushing for 891 yards on 181 carries in 16 games. The Dolphins’ lead back also gained 202 yards on 31 receptions.
Mostert, who was slowed by injuries during the latter part of his San Francisco 49ers’ tenure, proved to be a good fit in McDaniel’s offense. Helping take some heat off quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, his contributions helped the Dolphins rank sixth overall amongst NFL leaders in total offense (364.5).
Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (31) in the 2022 regular season finale
Rich Storry / USA TODAY Sports
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
CB Jonathan Jones
Contract: 2 years, $20 million (per Ben Volin)
The Patriots’ defensive backfield already suffered one loss this offseason when 13-year veteran safety Devin McCourty retired, but New England is keeping its top cornerback.
Jones’ seventh season with the Patriots was his first as a full-time starter and he made the most of his opportunity. The 5-foot-10 CB1, who missed a Week 6 contest against Cleveland due to an ankle injury, started 16 games in 2022. He totaled 69 tackles, four interceptions and three forced fumbles.
Jones, who signed with New England as an undrafted free agent out of Auburn in 2016, had made 27 starts in 85 appearances prior to last season. He has recorded 330 combined tackles and 11 interceptions in 101 career games.
NEW YORK JETS
LB Quincy Williams
Contract: 3 years, $18 million (per Tom Pelissero)
The starting strongside linebacker has made 216 stops in two seasons (31 games) with the Jets.
Williams, a former third-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars, has been the Jets’ second-leading tackler (behind CJ Mosley) since being claimed off waivers prior to the 2021 regular season.
In 2022, the athletic 5-foot-11 linebacker logged 106 combined tackles and 3.0 sacks while making 15 starts. Williams, who missed two early-season games due to an ankle injury, returned to record 14 stops in a Week 6 road win over Green Bay and started every contest the rest of the way.
The re-signing may also help the Jets in their contract negotiations with All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who is Quincy’s younger brother.
Follow Jets Country on Twitter (@NewYorkJetsFN).
