The Buffalo Bills bolstered their c depth by signing former New York Jets and Miami Dolphins signal-caller Mike White to their practice squad on August 28. White arrives with a history of resilience, as well as a lighthearted request for his new team.
White, who sustained broken ribs after a vicious hit from Bills linebacker Matt Milano during a December 2022 game while playing for the Jets, jokingly asked not to be locker mates with Milano upon joining Buffalo.
“Mike White said his only condition signing with the Bills was that he couldn’t be locker mates with Matt Milano,” reporter Matt Bove shared on X. “He said he thinks part of his rib is still on the 30-yard line inside Highmark Stadium.”
Filling a Critical Need
White’s addition comes at a crucial time for the Bills, who are grappling with injuries at the quarterback position. While White is expected to serve as the team’s No. 3 QB behind superstar Josh Allen, he could potentially be called upon to serve as the primary backup if Mitch Trubisky is not ready for the season opener. Trubisky, who suffered a knee injury during the preseason, remains questionable for Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane said the team is “cautiously optimistic” that Trubisky won’t need to go on injured reserve but stopped short of guaranteeing his availability for the start of the season.
White’s Grit and Experience
White, 29, is no stranger to Highmark Stadium or its physicality. During the December 2022 clash against the Bills, White took several big hits, including a brutal shot from Milano that sent him to the hospital with fractured ribs. Despite the pain, White briefly returned to the game twice, earning widespread respect for his toughness.
prayers up for Mike White's ribcage, or whatever remains of it pic.twitter.com/TgWYAwkKeB
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) December 11, 2022
In his NFL career, White has appeared in 14 games with seven starts, all with the Jets. He has thrown for 2,219 yards, nine touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Though his tenure as a starting quarterback has been rocky, his gritty performance in that 2022 Bills game left a lasting impression across the league.
With White’s arrival, the Bills now have experienced depth behind Josh Allen, while they wait to see how Trubisky’s health progresses.
