Bears Coach Offers Bigger Deal, But Bills Rookie Declares: “Buffalo Chose Me — This Is Where I Belong”
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Pittsford, NY – August 2025 – Joint practices between the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills turned into more than just competitive reps this week. They sparked an off-field drama when Bears head coach Ben Johnson reportedly made a bold overture toward rookie defensive end Landon Jackson, only to be met with a fierce refusal that instantly resonated with Bills Mafia.
According to team sources, Johnson privately floated the idea of Chicago pursuing Jackson with a deal worth one and a half times his current rookie contract — a staggering financial upgrade for the third-round pick out of Arkansas. The Bears, still searching for a consistent edge presence, viewed Jackson as the perfect missing piece for their defensive front.
Johnson didn’t hide his admiration after practice:
“Landon is exactly the kind of player we’re missing in Chicago — long, explosive, relentless. Any coach would want him. To see him slip away, that stings, because he could’ve been our answer off the edge.”
But the rookie wasn’t tempted by dollar signs. Instead, Jackson doubled down on loyalty to the team that drafted him.
“Buffalo chose me. This is where my game will grow, in red, white, and blue. Money doesn’t build legacies — commitment does. I want to be a Bill, and I want to fight for this city.”
Jackson, taken with the 72nd overall pick, has quickly turned heads in camp with his motor and physicality. Coaches have praised his early impact, believing he could carve out meaningful snaps in Sean McDermott’s defense as early as this season.
For the Bears, the rejection leaves a hole still unfilled in their defensive puzzle. For the Bills, it’s another sign that their culture — loyalty, grit, and belief in the franchise — remains a powerful pull even against the lure of bigger contracts.
As preseason rolls on, Landon Jackson isn’t just a rookie fighting for playing time. He’s a rookie who chose loyalty over money, making his stand in Buffalo.
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