Buffalo, New York – December 10, 2025
The NFL was rocked on Thursday when the Houston Texans abruptly released Jalen Mills, the veteran defensive back known league-wide as the “Green Goblin” and revered in Philadelphia as one of the emotional anchors of the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII triumph. And within just one hour of the move becoming public, Mills delivered a stunning message: he wants to join the
Buffalo Bills — and is willing to sacrifice major contract offers if it means helping deliver the first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.

Mills’ résumé has never depended on flashy interception totals or Pro Bowl nods. His value has always been defined by toughness, versatility, and a fearless edge — the kind of mindset that fits perfectly in a blue-collar, all-weather place like Buffalo. A former seventh-round pick who clawed his way into a starting role, he has lined up at outside corner, in the slot, and at safety, taking on WR1s in pressure situations and thriving in big-game environments.
During the Eagles’ legendary run to a championship, Mills played every snap as if his career depended on it, matching up against elite receivers, handling complex coverage checks, and embracing the biggest moments under the brightest lights. Coaches rave about his communication and football IQ; teammates remember the energy, the trash talk, and swagger that never wavered — even when the odds did.
Bills Could Strike Gold After Jalen Mills’ Surprise Release
Houston’s decision to move on from Mills raised eyebrows, especially for a Texans team that leaned on his experience to steady a young secondary. But the move instantly sparked a different kind of conversation across the league — and particularly in Western New York: could the
Bills, locked in another tight AFC playoff race, look to a battle-tested veteran like Mills to stabilize their secondary?
The veteran DB’s willingness to play multiple roles, combined with his reputation as one of the smartest and most competitive rotational defenders in the conference, makes him a natural fit for a system like Buffalo’s. Under a defensive scheme that values disguise, physicality, and discipline, Mills checks every box:
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Boundary corner
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Nickel defender
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Safety depth
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Special teams contributor
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Vocal, playoff-tested leader
Shortly after news of his release broke, Mills spoke openly about his future and the kind of opportunity he’s now chasing.
“I’ve been through the toughest roads this league has to offer to reach a Super Bowl — I understand that journey better than any stat line ever could,” Mills said. “If Buffalo needs someone willing to sacrifice a contract, a role or even the spotlight to help finally bring a Lombardi to the Bills, I’ll do it without hesitation.”
Inside Highmark Stadium, the idea is as logical as it is exciting. The Bills have leaned on several young defensive backs while navigating injuries and scheme adjustments. Adding Mills would mean more than just depth — it would inject a veteran voice who understands how to win when January football tightens.
His presence could stabilize communication on the back end, give Buffalo flexibility in matchups, and strengthen a defense that has occasionally struggled with consistency in late-game moments. For a franchise chasing its long-awaited breakthrough, a player like Mills could be the difference between “close” and “finally over the hump.”
If the Bills pursue Mills — and league chatter suggests they might — it could become one of the most impactful “low-risk, massive-upside” moves of the offseason. A modest contract for a proven, ring-wearing veteran who thrives under pressure is exactly the formula contenders rely on before making deep playoff runs.
One hour after being released, Jalen Mills made one thing clear: his story is far from finished — and Buffalo may be the place where the next, most dramatic chapter begins, driven by one mission:
helping the Bills bring the Lombardi Trophy home for the first time in franchise history.