The Buffalo Bills have brought former Cleveland Browns' first-round offensive tackle, Jedrick Wills Jr., onto their practice squad. This acquisition follows Wills' recent release from the Chicago Bears, marking a new chapter for the talented but injury-plagued player. His journey from a promising draft pick to a practice squad member highlights the unpredictable nature of professional football careers.
Bills Bolster Offensive Line with Former First-Round Talent
In a significant move on a recent Monday, the Buffalo Bills officially welcomed 17 new players to their practice squad, a roster expansion that notably included Jedrick Wills Jr. The skilled left tackle, originally a 2020 first-round selection by the Cleveland Browns, became available after the Chicago Bears opted to release him on the preceding Sunday. This strategic signing by the Bills aims to enhance their offensive line depth, providing an experienced player with high potential, albeit one who has faced considerable injury setbacks.
Wills' tenure with the Cleveland Browns, spanning five seasons, was marked by both promise and persistent challenges. Initially drafted as a right tackle, he was quickly transitioned to the left tackle position by the Browns as a rookie. This shift was largely influenced by his collegiate experience at Alabama, where he excelled at protecting left-handed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's blind side. Despite his potential, Wills' time on the field was frequently interrupted during his final two seasons in Cleveland due to various injuries. A particularly severe right knee injury, sustained in Week 9 of the 2023 season during a crucial victory against the Arizona Cardinals at Huntington Bank Field, prematurely ended his participation in the Browns' playoff run that year. The following season proved even more challenging, with Wills appearing in only five games, starting four, as he continued to grapple with the lingering effects of his knee issues.
The 2025 season saw Wills remain a free agent, a period he deliberately used to focus on rehabilitating his knee. During this time, he revealed details about the complex nature of his injury, explaining that it wasn't merely ligament damage but an alignment issue within his femur, necessitating an osteotomy procedure to correct it. Confident in his recovery, Wills expressed in March, via Zack Pearson, that his knee was now healthy. The Chicago Bears had taken a calculated risk by signing him during the most recent offseason, but their assessment during training camp and the preseason led to his non-inclusion in their final 53-man roster.
For the Buffalo Bills, this addition provides a valuable layer of protection against potential offensive line injuries. While Wills may not be expected to see immediate game action, allowing him to spend a full season on the practice squad could prove mutually beneficial. This arrangement offers him a crucial opportunity to consistently practice, further develop his skills, and potentially emerge as a reliable backup swing tackle in the subsequent year. However, the possibility remains that another NFL team, recognizing his past potential and current rehabilitation, could attempt to sign Wills from the Bills' practice squad to their active roster, a scenario that Bills fans will undoubtedly monitor closely.
Jedrick Wills Jr.'s journey is a compelling reminder of the resilience required in professional sports. His signing with the Bills' practice squad is not just a roster move; it's a testament to his determination to return to peak performance and a strategic play by the Bills to cultivate future talent. This situation underscores the fluidity of NFL careers, where even a former first-round pick can find a new path to contribution and recovery.
