Lewis Cine was supposed to be a difference-maker when the Minnesota Vikings grabbed him at the end of the first round in 2022.
Instead, a broken leg in London wiped out his rookie year and he’s been playing catch up ever since. Between stints in Minnesota, Buffalo and Philadelphia, he’s been more of a special teams body than a defensive regular, but teams keep kicking the tires on him because the athleticism and pedigree are still there.
On August 24, Cine was waived by the Eagles after they traded for Sam Howell, and Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic thinks the Bills are prime contenders to pick him up once again.
I would keep an eye on Lewis Cine for the Bills,” Buscaglia wrote on X after his release. “They spent the entire 2024 regular season developing him as a LB on the practice squad, then the Eagles signed him ahead of playoffs. The Bills could find a spot for another LB and special teams asset on their 53.
Cine’s NFL Career So Far: A Recap
Minnesota made Cine the final pick of Round 1 in 2022 on the strength of his Georgia tape and the young DB’s physical tools (he ran a 4.37 40-yard dash and had a 11’1” broad jump), but four games into his rookie year, everything unraveled in London.
Cine suffered a compound fracture of his lower left leg against the Saints and underwent surgery in the U.K., ending his season before it really got going.
He returned in 2023, but couldn’t climb the depth chart in Brian Flores’ defense, logging just eight defensive snaps across seven games while contributing primarily on special teams.
In 2024, prior to the cutdown date, Minnesota waived him after failing to trade him. The Bills signed him to their practice squad after that and elevated him for Weeks 14 and 17 (Cine appeared in one game) and, at the start of the 2024 postseason, Philadelphia signed him to its active roster.
Why a Reunion With Lewis Cine Is Realistic for the Buffalo Bills
GettyFormer first-round pick Lewis Cine could re-sign with the Buffalo Bills.
Will Buffalo circle back and add him to the 53-man roster now? The Bills could use some depth at both linebacker and safety, so re-signing Cine is a definite possibility.
His special teams value is also a reason he could return. Buffalo’s coverage units were leaky in the preseason finale (38 yards allowed per kick return), and Cine’s 2023–24 usage was overwhelmingly teams-centric — exactly the profile you elevate on cutdown week to stabilize the third phase. If your fourth safety has to be a core cover guy who can step in at dime, Cine checks that box and already handled those assignments under Sean McDermott last year.
Finally, there’s his reasonable price tag and familiarity. Cine will cost the league minimum, he knows the defense and has already been around on game days in Buffalo. With Philadelphia moving on, the Bills could bring him back to continue his development if no other team grabs him first.
Former 1st-Round Pick Cut by Eagles, Could Be Headed for Reunion With Bills