Bills Release 2024 Draft Pick CB After Public Complaints Spark Locker Room Drama in Week 1 Preparation Practices

The Buffalo Bills have made another surprising roster decision just days before the season opener, moving on from a young defensive back who had initially survived roster cuts and was expected to stick on the practice squad.

With Week 1 preparation practices underway, Buffalo’s focus has been on stabilizing its roster amid a wave of injuries in the secondary. Instead, an off-field distraction suddenly shifted attention away from football and toward locker room dynamics.

That rookie was cornerback Daequan Hardy, a 2024 draft pick who had been projected as a potential return specialist. Hardy’s posts reportedly irritated veterans and created tension in the locker room during critical Week 1 preparations.

Head coach Sean McDermott, who prioritizes discipline and accountability, was said to be unhappy with the timing of Hardy’s remarks. Though the team never officially confirmed, sources suggested the drama played a key role in the release.

In Hardy’s place, Buffalo signed defensive end Andre Jones Jr. and cornerback Jalen Kimber to the practice squad. Kimber, an undrafted rookie, will now get the developmental chance once expected for Hardy heading into the new season.

The decision leaves Buffalo’s cornerback group even thinner. With rookie Maxwell Hairston already on injured reserve and veteran Tre’Davious White battling injury, the Bills are scrambling for reliable depth just days before facing Baltimore.

For Hardy, it’s a harsh lesson in NFL reality. Talent alone isn’t enough — and with his reputation now tied to public complaints, his next chance may depend on whether another team is willing to overlook the drama.