Former Bills 2× Pro Bowl Agrees to Pay Cut to Return, Helping Team Overcome Injury Crisis

Buffalo, NY – In a surprising yet inspiring move, former Buffalo Bills lineman Rodger Saffold — a two-time Pro Bowler and longtime anchor on the offensive line — has agreed to a substantial pay cut to sign a short-term deal to return to the team, according to ESPN and NFL Network this afternoon (Oct. 1, 2025). The 37-year-old Saffold will begin practicing immediately and could suit up at guard as an injury replacement, helping Buffalo plug a major hole up front amid a severe injury wave.

Saffold, who played for the Bills in 2022 on a one-year contract (projected then to start at left guard), showed his loyalty to his former club by accepting a salary at roughly 50% of his market value (around $2–3 million for the rest of the season), per internal sources. “I love Buffalo and Bills Mafia. This is a time I can give back, especially when the team needs me most,” Saffold shared on Instagram after the announcement. The move is viewed as a timely lifeline by HC Sean McDermott, who has long praised Saffold’s experience working with assistant OL coach Aaron Kromer (dating back to their Rams days).

Bills’ Injury Crisis Context

The Bills are facing one of their toughest personnel stretches of the 2025 season, with both offense and defense hit hard. According to the latest injury report (updated Friday, Sept. 26):

• Spencer Brown (RT): Limited practice with a calf injury; questionable for the Oct. 5 game vs. the Patriots. Brown is a key protector for QB Josh Allen.
• Matt Milano (LB): Out with a pectoral injury — his second in two years — a major blow to coverage and run defense.
• Ed Oliver (DT): DNP with an ankle injury, weakening the interior front.
• AJ Epenesa (DE): Limited with a pectoral issue, impacting the pass rush.

Overall, the Bills have lost more than 20% of their offensive and defensive strength to injuries, contributing to poor performances in their last two games (losses to the Jets 20–17 and the Texans 24–21). Interior line depth has been thin, leading to an average of three sacks per game on Josh Allen — the highest rate of his career. Saffold’s return is the “needed medicine” to steady the O-line as the Bills prepare to face stout defenses like the Patriots (with Christian Gonzalez leading the secondary).

How Saffold Can Help the Bills

With over 13 NFL seasons (160 games, 157 starts), Saffold is an ideal veteran mentor for a young offensive line. He can:

• Start immediately at LG/RG: Temporarily fill in or rotate with O’Cyrus Torrence/Mitch Morse, improving pass protection (Saffold posted a 76.1 run-blocking grade in 2021, per PFF). That should ease pressure on Allen and support the vertical game.
• Boost the run game: The Bills rank 18th in rushing yards (under 110 yards/game). Known for interior power, Saffold can open lanes for RB James Cook, the team’s current rushing leader.
• Provide leadership and mentoring: As a former Pro Bowler, he can guide younger linemen (e.g., Ryan Bates from Saffold’s prior Bills stint), accelerating the line’s cohesion. McDermott has emphasized: “Rodger brings stability and fight — exactly what we need right now.”

Saffold was briefly sidelined during 2022 training camp due to a car accident (rib injury) but returned impressively and played 10 games for the Bills that year, posting a 68.8 overall PFF grade. Although his 2024 season with the Browns dipped (shoulder issues), he remains a workhorse with deep experience from the Rams (9 seasons) and Titans (3 seasons).

Saffold’s Notable Achievements

• 2× Pro Bowl (2017–2018 with the Rams), Second-Team All-Pro (2019).
• 2010 second-round pick by the Rams (Indiana Hoosiers).
• Career: 100+ starts; elite run blocker (top-10 from 2019–2021); key part of the Rams’ Super Bowl LIII run.
• With the Bills in 2022: 68% snap share; helped the O-line finish top-10 in pass block win rate.

Bills Mafia is “erupting” on X with #WelcomeBackSaffold, calling this the perfect “plot twist” for a playoff push. With Saffold back, Buffalo could regain momentum heading into the bye. His expected first appearance is vs. the Patriots — setting up a dramatic “revenge game.” Further updates forthcoming from Bills.com. #GoBills #BillsMafia