Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott has warmly welcomed former All-Pro cornerback Tre’Davious White back to the team. The fan favorite re-signed with Buffalo on a one-year, $3 million deal in mid-April, just before the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft.
White, who spent the first seven years of his career in Buffalo, was released by the Bills in March 2024. He then joined the Los Angeles Rams in free agency but was later traded to the Baltimore Ravens before last season’s trade deadline. Now, he’s returned to Orchard Park and 1 Bills Drive.
“Tre has always been and always will be one of my favorites,” McDermott told Ryan O’Halloran of the Buffalo News on Thursday. “When he was in L.A., it wasn’t the Tre we know—his performance dipped. But once he got to Baltimore, we saw his play improve and his mobility return.”
While White is no longer considered among the league’s top cornerbacks—due to injuries like a torn ACL in 2021 and a torn Achilles in 2023—his deep understanding of Buffalo’s defensive system could still allow him to make a meaningful contribution in 2025.
Bills’ Sean McDermott, Tre’Davious White Reunited
White’s Comments About Buffalo Return
The 30-year-old Louisiana native made it clear to his agents, Kevin Conner and Robert Brown, that his top priority was returning to Buffalo. His homecoming comes at a crucial time, with the Bills’ defense in need of experienced depth in the secondary.
“I told my agent, ‘If you can’t get Buffalo on the line, just don’t call me,’” White said during his re-introductory press conference.
White, a two-time Pro Bowler during his initial tenure with the Bills, shared that leaving Buffalo was never part of his plan—and returning felt like the next best thing.
“I always wanted to spend my entire career with one team,” White said. “That didn’t work out, but getting the chance to come back and do it alongside guys I’ve built relationships with, battled through adversity with, who’ve seen me through multiple injuries and comebacks—that means everything. Walking back through the doors yesterday, it felt like I never left. I feel like I belong. I feel like I’m home. For that, I’m incredibly grateful and thankful to be back.”
Star Cornerback’s Track Record
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Tre’Davious White compiled an impressive list of accolades during his initial run with the Bills:
- 2017: Finished second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting
- 2019: Named to the Pro Bowl, earned First-Team All-Pro honors, and placed fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting
- 2020: Selected to the Pro Bowl and earned Second-Team All-Pro recognition
The LSU standout was in the midst of another strong campaign in 2021—recording 41 tackles, six pass breakups, one interception, and a forced fumble in 11 games—before a torn ACL ended his season prematurely. He didn’t return until late in 2022 and suffered another devastating setback with a torn Achilles just four games into the 2023 season.
Those injuries clearly took a toll. During his stint with the Rams, White appeared limited—struggling with change-of-direction and often being outpaced by faster receivers.
As head coach Sean McDermott noted, White showed signs of improvement during his brief time in Baltimore, though he was still far from his old self. His 52.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus reflected a steep drop in performance.
Now back in Buffalo, the Bills are banking on White’s deep familiarity with their zone-heavy defensive system to help mitigate the athletic decline brought on by his injuries.
Where White Fits in 2025 Bills Defense
The Bills took a practical, no-frills approach to revamping their cornerback group this offseason. Christian Benford and Taron Johnson are locked into their usual spots on the outside and in the slot, respectively, while the competition for the No. 2 outside cornerback role will unfold during training camp.
Buffalo hopes that first-round pick Maxwell Hairston quickly seizes the starting job and solidifies the position. But the team also brought back Tre’Davious White and Dane Jackson as experienced insurance options. Both veterans are well-acquainted with the defensive system and ready to step in if needed.
If Hairston needs time to develop, White is expected to be the first in line to fill the void. Even in that scenario, however, don’t be surprised if the team uses a rotation at the position to protect White from having to cover speedy receivers one-on-one too often.
There’s also an intriguing possibility to monitor: a potential position switch to safety for White.
The Bills’ safety situation remains unsettled heading into camp. Cole Bishop, Taylor Rapp, and Damar Hamlin are the leading candidates for starting roles, with Darrick Forrest and rookie Jordan Hancock also in the mix. Though White has never played safety at the pro level, the idea isn’t completely off the table—especially if the position remains a concern early in camp.
A move to safety could not only address a roster need but might also help prolong White’s career as his athleticism continues to decline.
