After seven seasons with the Buffalo Bills, safety Jordan Poyer has decided to join the Miami Dolphins.
BREAKING: Jordan Poyer joins the #Dolphins on a one-year deal
Let's get to work! 🐬 pic.twitter.com/SYp7A5JcQ8
— Dolphin Nation (@Dolphin_Nation) March 12, 2024
The one-time All-Pro explained his decision to NFL insider Cameron Wolfe.
Spoke on phone to new Dolphins S Jordan Poyer less than a minute before going on air for @nflnetwork Free Agency Frenzy. He told me, “I’M COMING HOME. I CAN’T WAIT.”
More from my convo w/ Poyer, what the proven vet brings as he competes for key role & what’s next for Dolphins: pic.twitter.com/fEBeUeLi3A
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 12, 2024
“He said, ‘I’m coming home,'” Wolfe said regarding Poyer. “He said, ‘I live about 25 minutes from there. I’ve wanted to come to Florida for a long time. And I feel like I am coming home.’ He said, ‘I’ve had a lot of respect for Coach [Mike] McDaniel and his team for a long time. And it feels right.’ He said, ‘I’m 32 years old. It’s not a crazy amount of money. … But I have a lot of respect for the guys on the team, and I think I’m gonna be a perfect fit there in Miami.'”
It really seems like money isn’t a big factor for Poyer, as his deal is reportedly only worth $2 million. The small contract will surely make Dolphins fans love the Oregon State University product even more.
Former Bills S Jordan Poyer's deal with the Dolphins is a 1-year, $2M per source
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) March 12, 2024
On paper, Poyer appears to be a solid fit alongside Jevon Holland, who has blossomed into one of the league’s top young safeties during his three seasons in the league.
Poyer made first-team All-Pro in the 2021 season and then made the Pro Bowl the following campaign. He didn’t earn either of those nods this past season, but he was still able to record 100 combined tackles, four passes defended, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and one forced fumble.
The Dolphins are undergoing lots of changes on defense, as they have lost Christian Wilkins, Andrew Van Ginkel and Brandon Jones this offseason while also parting ways with Jerome Baker and Xavien Howard.
Recent acquisitions like pass rusher Shaquil Barrett and linebacker Jordyn Brooks are expected to play big roles alongside Poyer.
The 32-year-old was linked to the team in past and now finally gets a chance to play for Miami. Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who hasn’t been shy about sharing his thoughts on the team’s moves recently, appeared to offer his approval of the move on social media.
Dolphins having a sneaky great free agency 🥹
— Ty Hill (@cheetah) March 12, 2024
Rachel Bush, Poyer’s wife, expressed tons of happiness about the move.
FINS UP WE ARE HOME !! 🐬🩵
— Rachel (@Rachel__Bush) March 12, 2024
Though there will be a lot of news faces in Miami in the upcoming season, there’s undoubtedly tons of talent still left on the squad.
The Dolphins should be playoff contenders once again as they look to win their first playoff game in over two decades. They’ve had two chances to do so in the past two seasons, falling short each time.
Poyer and the Bills beat Miami in the 2023 playoffs, while the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Dolphins in January.
Perhaps the addition of Poyer will change Miami’s fortunes.
