Bills Rookie Cut Before Season Retires to Join Military Service

Buffalo, NY – Just days before the final roster cuts, Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Malik Jones has made an emotional decision to step away from football and return home to care for his mother, who is battling late-stage cancer. Jones, 23, joined the Bills as an undrafted free agent out of Florida State following the 2025 NFL Draft. During the preseason, he turned heads with his explosiveness — posting 82 yards on 5 catches, including a 42-yard touchdown grab against the Chicago Bears that had Bills fans buzzing about his potential. Head coach Sean McDermott spoke about the decision with deep respect: “Malik showed us everything you’d want in a young player — effort, humility, and heart. What he’s doing now shows even more character. Family always comes first here in Buffalo.” Within hours of the news breaking, Jones released a heartfelt statement through the team: “Thank you Buffalo Bills for believing in me and giving me a chance to live my dream. But right now, my mom — my biggest supporter — is fighting stage 3 breast cancer. I need to be by her side. Football will always be part of me, but family comes first. I’ll be back stronger one day. #BillsMafiaForever.” Bills GM Brandon Beane added: “Malik is a remarkable young man. We fully support his decision and hope to see him back in a Bills uniform when the time is right.” Jones’ departure doesn’t drastically alter Buffalo’s wide receiver depth chart — with Stefon Diggs, Khalil Shakir, and Keon Coleman leading the unit — but it serves as a poignant reminder that the NFL is about more than the game; it’s about people, values, and moments that matter beyond the field. Across social media, the #MalikStrong hashtag has already begun trending, with fans flooding his account with words of encouragement. If his family’s health improves, Jones could return to football in 2026 — and based on his preseason performance, Buffalo or another NFL team will surely come calling.