Veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White’s return to the Buffalo Bills has brought nothing but good vibes and smiles to One Bills Drive.
White, the Bills’ first-round draft pick in 2017, shined during his initial stint with the Bills from 2017-2023. As the first pick in Sean McDermott’s head coaching career, his selection was an absolute home run for the struggling franchise. At the time, Buffalo was mired in the throes of a 17-season playoff drought.
White helped with the turnaround, being part of a stellar defense that helped the Bills return to playoff prominence. White earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors during his first seven seasons in the NFL. He led the NFL with six interceptions in 2019.
Moreover, White’s infectious personality and energy connected with the locker room and the fan base. After all, how many NFL players have their own goalie academy?
The LSU product was Buffalo’s top cornerback and one of the best players in the NFL.
However, injuries derailed his ascent as the top defensive player in the league. In 2021, White tore his ACL, ending his season after 11 games. After a long, arduous rehabilitation, White returned to the field for six games in 2022. Tragedy struck again in 2023, as White tore his Achilles tendon just four games into the campaign.
After that injury, Buffalo’s front office made the difficult decision to let White go as part of a salary cap move.
White bounced around the NFL and signed asigned a one-year, $3 million contract in April with the BIlls. The move helped shore up a questionable secondary.
White might not be the player he was in the early part of his career, but his charisma and leadership will be on full display. Already, teammates are excited to have White back in the fold.
Christian Benford, now Buffalo’s No. 1 cornerback, gushed about White’s presence at OTAs. “It’s awesome because he’s pretty funny. He’s an awesome guy. Great soul. I’ll be chilling, and he brings, like, mad energy, so it’s good to have somebody like him in the building, in the DB room,” per The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia.
Slot cornerback Taron Johnson reiterated Benford’s assessment: “Having guys like that back in the building, man, it makes my job so much funner. He’s been through some tough, tough injuries. But just seeing him bounce back and him still having that same attitude is great.”
Johnson added, “Having one of my best friends back, like, it’s great. I couldn’t ask for much more.”
More importantly, the man who gave White his initial opportunity in the NFL is excited to see No. 27 back in his secondary. Sean McDermott shared how great it is to have White as part of the Buffalo football community once again. “It’s great to be reunited because of who he is, what he stands for, how hard he works. I can’t say enough good things about Tre and what he means to me personally, and then what he’s meant to our football team.”
While it’s all smiles with White back in Buffalo, it’s important to note that there’s some business to address. White will face some competition for snaps, and his path to starting duty may be a bit difficult. Benford is the No. 1 cornerback in the room. Buffalo drafted Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston with their first-round pick in April’s draft. Buffalo brought back Dane Jackson as a free agent as well. Ja’Marcus Ingram has shown flashes of starting ability as well.
Even so, it’s hard to see this signing as anything but positive for the Bills. Younger players, such as Hairston, will lean on White for guidance.
Buffalo was the only place that White was interested in playing. “This place is so, so special. This is the only place that I really want to be and do it the right way, hopefully get a Super Bowl here and I’ll be a part of it.
Buffalo, the team, and the community are excited that White is once again part of the special place as well.
Bills Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2025 offseason.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: All love for Tre’Davious White in return to Buffalo Bills
Reporting by Justin DiLoro, Bills Wire / Bills Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
