Bills Signed Veteran Defensive Tackle Greg Gaines After Learning Of Phidarian

Bills Add Veteran Depth on Defensive Line, Signing Greg Gaines

The Buffalo Bills bolstered their defensive front this week, agreeing to terms with veteran nose tackle Greg Gaines shortly after learning that fellow interior lineman Phidarian Mathis will be sidelined to start the regular season. After learning of Phidarian Mathis' suspension, the Buffalo Bills signed veteran nose tackle Greg Gaines.

Mathis Suspension Creates Immediate Need

The Bills have an immediate need for depth at the position with Phidarian Mathis set to miss the first three games of the season serving an NFL suspension.

Gaines' signing comes after Mathis was suspended last week for the first three games of the regular season for violating the NFL substance abuse policy. The timing led several outlets to note the moves were connected. It's likely no coincidence that Gaines comes aboard only four days after news broke that Mathis received a three-game suspension that will begin in Week 1.

To create roster space, the Bills released defensive tackle Tommy Akingbesote to make room for Gaines.

A Super Bowl-Tested Veteran

The 30-year-old Gaines has seven NFL seasons of experience, including the past three playing in a backup role with Tampa Bay, and has been a free agent since his contract expired in March. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 312 pounds, Gaines spent his first four years with the Los Angeles Rams, the final two as a starter, including their Super Bowl-winning season in 2021.

He was selected by the Rams in the fourth round of the 2019 draft out of Washington, and overall has 14½ sacks and 16 tackles for a loss in 34 starts across 108 games.

Gaines' best statistical season came during that Super Bowl LVI campaign. Replacing the traded Michael Brockers, Gaines started 13 of 17 regular-season games and set career highs in tackles (55), quarterback hits (13) and sacks (4.5), playing 780 defensive snaps — trailing only Aaron Donald among Rams D-linemen. In the title game itself, he contributed half of a sack and was part of a pass rush that registered a Super Bowl-record seven in the Rams' victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

After Tampa Bay, Gaines was most recently a member of the Buccaneers, where he played about 40% of the defensive snaps over three seasons.

Fitting Into Buffalo's New Scheme

The addition comes as Buffalo transitions its defensive identity. The Bills are making the switch to a three-lineman, four-linebacker defensive scheme under new coordination, and Gaines projects as rotational depth behind the interior line. Gaines will join a group that includes Ed Oliver, Deone Walker, T.J. Sanders, Landon Jackson, DeWayne Carter, Zane Durant, Zion Logue and Travis Clayton.

The move gives the Bills' front office an experienced body to lean on while Mathis serves his suspension, adding a player with a track record of durability and postseason production as Buffalo continues shaping its roster ahead of the regular season, coming off a preseason win over Carolina on Aug. 15.