'Plot Twist' as Jets lose former first-round safety to division rival Bills

Well, that's why reports are just reports until the ink is dry.

Former Minnesota Vikings first-round safety Lewis Cine was apparently heading to the New York Jets after being cut by the team that drafted him in 2022.

NFL Network inside Mike Garafolo claimed the Cine and the Jets agreed on a Practice Squad deal on Wednesday. On Thursday morning, Garafolo reported a "plot twist" that has the young safety heading to the Buffalo Bills as a P-Squad player.

"Cine, who is headed to Buffalo now, had initially leaned toward the #Jets but opts to go elsewhere in the AFC East," said Garafolo in an X post.

The Bills lost veteran safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde during the offseason but signed two-time Super Bowl champion Mike Edwards and drafted Utah's Cole Bishop. Now, they add a Georgia product to the mix.

Cine struggled with injuries while falling out of favor in Minnesota. He has only one career tackle over 10 appearances since being drafted at No. 32 overall, but he made an impact with his preseason playing time this summer.

Meanwhile, the Jets' safety room may be the least-proven position group on a loaded defense. Former undrafted free agent Tony Adams will start at free safety for the second year in a row while strong safety Chuck Clark, a 2017 sixth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens, is projected as a starter following his ACL recovery.

Scroll to Continue with Content

Behind the two starters, New York has veteran Ashtyn Davis and converted cornerback Isaiah Oliver.

The Jets made a roster move in Wednesday evening, releasing wide receiver Jason Brownlee to create room for waiver claim Brenden Bates.