The Buffalo Bills made a massive move — quite literally and figuratively — earlier this week when the team announced a huge signing. The Bills agreed to terms on a one-year contract with former Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman, Poona Ford.
An undrafted free agent out of Texas, Ford turned down more money elsewhere to try to win a ring in Buffalo, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. It’s a relatively big post-NFL Draft addition for Sean McDermott’s defense, as some expected the Bills to address the defensive tackle position in the 2023 NFL Draft, considering it was a huge deficiency for the team the season prior.
In 2022, teams were able to gash the Bills up the middle. According to Warren Sharp, when running backs attacked the middle of the defensive line (guard-to-guard), Buffalo’s run defense ranked 31st in yards per carry (5.1), 32nd in percent of runs to gain 10 or more yards and 26th in percent of runs to gain five or more yards.
That’s why the Bills went out and got Ford.
It’s a pretty big and important move given the team’s issues up the middle, and the NFL world had plenty to say about it.
Oh… @RockpileReport you guys are getting a good one. Poona is a beast. 💪🏽 https://t.co/O4SJzV6PRO
— EJ Snyder (@FootballEJ) May 3, 2023
Oh ya.. that’ll do https://t.co/IZVyHtLHNe
— Jeramiah Poyer (@Jpo_NA) May 2, 2023
Went from supposedly too-short undrafted rookie to earning more than $14M in Seahawks contracts through relentless effort. Runs down wide receivers after catches downfield—from nose tackle.
Now he signs with Buffalo. https://t.co/r5LrANF723
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) May 2, 2023
I’m old enough to remember when we had to OVER pay to get free agents.
We are living in the good times #BillsMafia https://t.co/0pfd50hM6D
— (Matt) The Bearded Photog 🦬 (@beardedphotog24) May 2, 2023
Holy W https://t.co/1vCaASY3ej
— . (@ShakirBetta) May 2, 2023
After 10 minutes of research it feels like there isn’t a player, not named Deandre Hopkins, that the Bills could’ve added today that would make a bigger impact. https://t.co/B9ThrrKGeZ
— Joe DiBiase (@SneakyJoeSports) May 2, 2023
THIS IS THE GREATEST DAY EVER! https://t.co/1baV0xQG06
— Greg Cover 1 🏈 (@GregTompsett) May 2, 2023
Glad to have him out of the division!
One of the more underrated players in the NFL that always jumped out on film. https://t.co/GLrhZ8D6Xn— John Chapman (@JL_Chapman) May 2, 2023
Since entering the league in 2018, Ford has been one of the better run-stopping nose tackles in the NFL. Across five seasons in Seattle (2018-22), Ford made 64 starts and recorded 181 total tackles (28 for loss) with 27 quarterback hits and 7.5 sacks. He figures to add immediate help to Buffalo’s defensive front.
[Tom Pelissero and Warren Sharp on Twitter]
