The Buffalo Bills’ secondary underachieved in 2024. A significant portion of the problem came at the safety level. Starters Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin failed in their bid to replace the decorated tandem of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. As a result, it’s a position that must be addressed ahead of the 2025 season.
Jacob Camenker of USA Today suggested one possible solution: Justin Reid. The veteran safety is an impending free agent after completing a three-year, $31.5 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. He spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Houston Texans.
“Speaking of teams with cap issues, the Bills are more than $14 million over the cap, so they will have to make some cuts or restructure some deals to be able to afford free agents,” Camenker wrote. “That may limit what the Bills can do in free agency, but they could use a hard-hitting playmaker in the secondary. Reid fits the bill, and stealing the 28-year-old from the Chiefs would help weaken Buffalo’s main obstacle toward a Super Bowl berth.”
Let’s examine whether Reid is a realistic option for the Bills when free agency opens March 12.
Bills, Justin Reid a Perfect Match in Free Agency?
Reid’s NFL Track Record
Although Reid hasn’t earned a ton of individual accolades across his seven NFL seasons, he’s been a reliable, productive defender ever since his rookie campaign. He’s tallied 580 total tackles, 46 passes defended, 10 interceptions, six sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and a touchdown across 106 regular-season appearances.
The Stanford product recorded 87 tackles, nine passes defended,d and two picks in 16 games for the Chiefs in 2024. He earned a solid 76.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 20th among 170 qualified safeties.
“A GIFT FOR YOU!”
Justin Reid with the Christmas pick! 🎁#KCvsPIT on @Netflix pic.twitter.com/vA9YoCh8dY
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Reid isn’t flashy but he’s durable and rarely makes game-changing mistakes. He’s particularly good in coverage, which is an area Buffalo safeties really struggled in 2024. More specifically, Hamlin was consistently taken advantage of in that regard, in large part because he’s one of the NFL’s slowest safeties.
It’s also a bonus that Reid, who won a pair of Super Bowl titles with the Chiefs and helped knock the Bills out of the playoffs as a member of the Texans, has plenty of big-game experience. It adds to the idea he’d be an ideal fit for the Buffalo defense.
Bills’ 2025 Safety Outlook
Rapp and rookie Cole Bishop are Buffalo’s only two safeties under contract for next season. Cam Lewis, a hybrid cornerback-safety, will also be back. Hamlin is an impending free agent who’s unlikely to return unless it’s a team-friendly, one-year deal.
The Bills will hope Bishop, a 2024 second-round pick, will be ready to start in his second NFL season. It’s not guaranteed after he played limit first-unit snaps as a rookie, though. It’s also unclear whether the coaching staff will feel comfortable with a boom-or-bust option like Rapp as a starter again.
Cole Bishop making a touchdown saving tackle from depth. Holds this to an 8 yard gain
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In turn, there will likely be at least one outside addition to compete for a starting job. That could be a free-agent signing or a high draft pick. Depending on a Bishop-Rapp pairing with a re-signed Hamlin as the top reserve would come with a lot of risk.
The Bills need more stability at the position next season. The status quo isn’t good enough.
Should Buffalo Target Reid?
Yes, but it all comes down to his asking price. The Bills possess limited financial flexibility this offseason. After they get done restructuring contracts and releasing overpaid veterans, likely starting with Von Miller, they’ll probably have enough cap space for one truly marquee addition.
Safety isn’t at the top of the list when breaking down the team’s biggest needs, though. Edge-rusher is the No. 1 area of concern by a massive margin. That’s followed by defensive tackle, and wide receiver may even be higher on the list than safety.
So, the question becomes what type of deal Reid will command on the open market. Spotrac sets his market value at $17.1 million, which would likely be too rich for Buffalo’s blood.
Justin Reid like a damned missile, goodness pic.twitter.com/ejcH2LUUCI
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A lot could depend on Reid’s preferences. Would he rather chase the biggest-dollar contract or take a more modest deal to remain on a championship contender? If it’s the latter, that’s when the Bills enter the conversation for his services.
All told, it’s a long shot Reid lands in Buffalo, but he’s certainly a good fit if general manager Brandon Beane can make it work.
