In a shocking turn of events that has left Buffalo Bills fans scratching their heads, the team has abruptly cut ties with their latest defensive addition, cornerback M.J. Devonshire, a mere seven days after bringing him aboard. The promising young speedster, who dazzled scouts with his blazing 4.35-second 40-yard dash, was signed to bolster the secondary but has been shown the door to make way for a more urgent need: a veteran kicker. What seemed like the start of a new chapter in Buffalo has ended before it even began, raising questions about the team’s roster juggling and depth issues.
A Brief Glimpse of Hope: How Devonshire Landed in Buffalo
The Bills’ interest in Devonshire dates back to the 2024 NFL Draft. Coming out of the University of Pittsburgh, the athletic cornerback turned heads with his impressive physical traits, including nearly 33-inch arms that made him an ideal candidate for boundary coverage. Although Buffalo met with him pre-draft, they didn’t select him, and Devonshire initially signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent. However, after being released by Baltimore in August, he became available once more.
Seizing the opportunity for a second chance, the Bills added Devonshire to their practice squad just before their matchup against the New England Patriots. As noted by The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia on X, “Another Pitt DB for the Bills locker room. The Bills showed some pre-draft interest in Devonshire in 2024. His arm length is nearly 33 inches, so perhaps that signals they’re looking at him at boundary CB. Definitely an interesting one.”
Devonshire’s arrival came at a time when the Bills were dealing with unexpected turbulence in their secondary. The team had lost reserve cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram during a botched attempt to claim veteran Darius Slay off waivers from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Slay was awarded to Buffalo but refused to report, leading to his placement on the reserve list. In the process, Ingram hit waivers and was snapped up by the Houston Texans—a move that visibly frustrated head coach Sean McDermott during a press conference.
With Devonshire’s speed and potential, many saw him as a low-risk, high-reward addition to provide depth and perhaps even contribute on special teams or in sub-packages. But fate had other plans.
The Sudden Axe: Kicking Needs Trump Defensive Depth
On Tuesday, the Bills announced the release of Devonshire from the practice squad, using the vacated spot to sign veteran kicker Michael Badgley. The move was driven by an injury to current kicker Matt Prater, who suffered a quad issue and is now listed as “week to week,” according to McDermott.
This isn’t the first kicking crisis for Buffalo this season. Regular starter Tyler Bass was sidelined with an injury before the year even kicked off, landing him on injured reserve. Prater stepped in admirably, even nailing a game-winning field goal against the Ravens shortly after joining the team. But with Prater now hobbled, the Bills couldn’t afford to wait.
Badgley, who last suited up for the Indianapolis Colts earlier this season, brings a track record of reliability. In seven games with the Colts, he went 10-for-11 on field goals (91% success rate), including 4-for-4 from 40-49 yards and 2-for-3 from 50-59 yards. Stretching back to 2021, Badgley has converted 56 of 65 field goal attempts (86%), making him a steady option for a team in playoff contention.
“Badgley last appeared for the Colts earlier this season where he played in seven games and went 10 for 11 (91%) on field goal attempts,” the Bills stated in their official announcement. “He was 4 for 4 on 40-49-yard field goals and 2 for 3 on 50-59-yard field goals. Dating back to the 2021 season, Badgley has connected on 56 of 65 (86%) of his field goal attempts.”
The timing couldn’t be more critical. The Bills are on the cusp of clinching a playoff spot this weekend with a win over their opponent, coupled with a loss or tie from either the Houston Texans or Indianapolis Colts. In a season where every point matters, a dependable kicker is non-negotiable—even if it means sacrificing a talented young cornerback.
McDermott’s Frustration and the Bigger Picture
Head coach Sean McDermott didn’t hide his displeasure over the earlier roster mishaps, particularly the Ingram-Slay fiasco. When addressing reporters, his anger was palpable as he discussed the secondary’s instability. While he hasn’t commented specifically on Devonshire’s release yet, the move underscores the harsh realities of NFL roster management: priorities shift quickly, and no spot is guaranteed.
For Devonshire, this could be a temporary setback. As a free agent once more, he might catch on elsewhere or even return to Buffalo if circumstances change. His speed and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect for teams needing secondary help. But for now, his “era” in Buffalo—however brief— is over before it truly started.
The Bills’ decision highlights the razor-thin margins in the NFL, where a single injury can cascade into major roster shakeups. As Buffalo pushes toward the postseason, fans will be watching closely to see if Badgley delivers and if the secondary holds up without the added depth Devonshire could have provided.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Bills gear up for a pivotal weekend. Will this kicking reinforcement be the boost they need, or will the secondary woes come back to haunt them? Only time will tell in the high-stakes world of NFL football.