While Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane said he had no plans to make a big splash trade in free agency, he might scoop up a familiar face at a discount.
The Jacksonville Jaguars cut wide receiver Zay Jones a mere five days after landing Brian Thomas Jr. in the draft. Jones was entering the final season of his three-year, $24 million contract. By releasing the 29-year-old, who looked to be fourth on the depth chart, Jacksonville saved $4.18 million in cap space while eating $6.56 million in dead money.
USA Today’s Nick Wojton wrote on Tuesday, April 30, “Because of his connections with the Bills, there could be a possibility he’s added to Buffalo’s receiving room. The Bills only selected one receiver at the 2024 NFL draft in Keon Coleman via a second-round pick.”
The Bills traded up to draft Jones in the second of the 2017 NFL draft. The East Carolina alum failed to break out his rookie season and was involved in an off-season hotel incident that led to an arrest. However, Jones put up solid numbers after quarterback Josh Allen landed in Buffalo. During the 2018 season, he registered 56 receptions for 652 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Buffalo ultimately traded Jones to the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders in October 2019 for a 2021 fifth-round pick. After three seasons, Jones landed in Jacksonville.
Over the past two seasons, he recorded 116 receptions for 1,144 yards and 7 touchdowns in 25 games. He missed eight games last season due to knee and hamstring injuries. The AP reported, “He also was arrested on a domestic violence charge that was ultimately dropped.”
