The Buffalo Bills have released former Pro Bowl linebacker Deion Jones following their 31-26 preseason loss to the Carolina Panthers, the team announced Sunday.
Jones was one of seven players the Bills released Sunday as they cut the roster down to 53 players before the start of the regular season. Quarterback Anthony Brown, wide receiver Damiere Byrd, offensive lineman Kevin Jarvis, defensive end Rondell Bothroyd, linebacker Shayne Simon, and cornerback Kyron Brown.
Jones was once one of the most promising young defensive players in the NFL early in his career. The Falcons’ second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Jones became an immediate contributor to a young Falcons defense that helped the team reach the Super Bowl.
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The 6-foot-1, 220-pound linebacker proved to be a great scheme fit in Dan Quinn’s defense in Atlanta, with his 4.38-second 40-yard dash speed allowing him to roam all over the field. Thanks to his speed, Jones excelled at flying across the field to make tackles, and even coming up with key interceptions.
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As a rookie, Jones earned the starting middle linebacker position out of the gate. In his first month as an NFL pro, Jones intercepted future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees and then returned the pick 90 yards for a score.
Jones would finish his rookie season with 108 total tackles, 11 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and three interceptions, returning two of the picks for touchdowns.
Jones helped the Falcons advance to the Super Bowl, where they lost in devastating fashion to the New England Patriots, who overcame a 25-point deficit in the second half. Jones finished the postseason with 20 total tackles, 10 pass deflections, one interception, and a fumble he forced during the Super Bowl.
The LSU product continued his success as a sophomore, recording 138 total tackles, one sack, 10 pass deflections, and three interceptions as he went on to make his lone career Pro Bowl.
Jones played four more full seasons with the Falcons but was traded to the Cleveland Browns in the middle of the 2022 season after he began the year on injured reserve. After the year, he spent one season with the Carolina Panthers, before signing with the Bills in May 2024.
Jones has now been released ahead of the regular season. The Bills also go into the season missing their best linebacker, Matt Milano, who is out indefinitely with a torn biceps. Milano was limited to just five games in 2023 after fracturing his leg in Week 5.
