Bills Cornerback Shuffle: Slay Declines, Ingram Claimed, McDermott Responds
The Bills made a surprise move this week, claiming veteran cornerback Darius Slay after he was waived by the Steelers. In a corresponding roster decision, Buffalo released CB Ja’Marcus Ingram. But the plan quickly unraveled-Slay opted not to report to the team, and Ingram was promptly scooped up by the Texans.
It’s the kind of roster twist that can leave a team scrambling, especially this late in the season. Head coach Sean McDermott didn’t hide his disappointment in how the situation played out.
“Yeah, I mean it’s unfortunate that that unfolded and went down the way it did,” McDermott said. “I’m a huge Ja’Marcus Ingram fan and will always be. So I’m always gonna be in his corner and want the best for him.”
That’s a telling statement from a coach who clearly valued Ingram’s presence, even if the numbers game forced a tough decision. And while Slay’s résumé speaks for itself, McDermott made it clear he’s focused on the guys who are actually in the building.
“I’m really gonna focus on our team right now,” he said. “So, focus on our team and coaching this game in a couple of days here. And I wish him the best, him and his family.”
As for the defensive front, there’s a glimmer of hope. Star defensive tackle Ed Oliver, who’s been sidelined with a biceps injury, has “a chance” to return during the playoffs, per McDermott. That would be a major boost for a defense that’s had to shuffle pieces all year long.
Jets: Tyrod Taylor’s Advice to Dart, Fields Out, Run Defense Under the Microscope
Veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor has seen just about everything in his NFL journey-and he’s taken his fair share of hits along the way. So when asked about Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart, who’s been taking some heavy contact while escaping the pocket, Taylor didn’t hesitate to share some hard-earned wisdom.
“You never want to take away what makes a guy special,” Taylor said. “It was a legal hit.
My advice to him would be to be smart about those. Over the course of a season, over the course of a career, those add up.
Your best ability is availability.”
That last line hits home. Taylor knows the balance between using your legs and protecting your body is a delicate one. And it’s a lesson he’s learned firsthand.
“As a dual-threat guy, I’ve definitely taken some hits that I shouldn’t have taken in my career,” Taylor admitted. “There’s a learning curve that comes with that, and hopefully he learns sooner rather than later because he’s a special player.”
On the Jets’ depth chart, Taylor will be backed up by undrafted rookie Brady Cook in Week 14, with Justin Fields sidelined due to a knee injury. Head coach Aaron Glenn isn’t shy about his belief in Cook’s potential.
“He’s going to be a quarterback in this league,” Glenn said. “I can’t tell you when, but he’ll be a quarterback in this league.”
Fields’ status will be re-evaluated next week, but for now, it’s Taylor and Cook steering the ship.
Jets Defense Looking for Answers After Falcons Ground Game Gashed Them
The Jets’ defense has been a bright spot at times this season, but Week 13 against the Falcons wasn’t one of those moments. Bijan Robinson ran wild, racking up 142 yards and a touchdown, and head coach Aaron Glenn didn’t sugarcoat the performance.
“We’ve got to get better in that aspect,” Glenn said. “I know Bijan’s a good player, but still it’s unacceptable for us to give up 140-something yards to one player.”
That kind of stat line is jarring for a defense that prides itself on physicality. Glenn pointed to missed tackles as a major culprit, and not just the kind you can chalk up to elite footwork or speed.
“There were a number of missed tackles,” he said. “A lot of those missed tackles were us diving to the ground instead of running through the man.”
That’s a fundamental issue-and one Glenn is determined to fix. As the Jets head into the final stretch of the season, they’ll need to clean up those mistakes fast if they want to stay competitive, especially with the AFC wild card picture still wide open.
From quarterback decisions to defensive corrections, the Jets and Bills both find themselves at critical junctures. And with December football in full swing, every move-and every missed tackle-carries just a little more weight.