Former Bills WR Bust Retires After Sudden Release

Charlotte, NC – May 9, 2025 – A former Buffalo Bills wide receiver has officially called it a career. Just days after being abruptly released from the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad, veteran Jordan Matthews announced his retirement, ending a 10-year NFL journey filled with highs, lows, and unmet potential.

Matthews, once a promising pass-catcher, was cut Thursday according to The Athletic’s Joe Person, extinguishing his hopes of reviving his career as a tight end. “Time to move on,” he wrote on X, offering appreciation to fans.

Originally acquired by the Bills in a 2017 trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for cornerback Ronald Darby, Matthews arrived in Buffalo with high expectations. In Philadelphia, he had showcased flashes of brilliance: 67 receptions, 872 yards, and 8 touchdowns in 2014, followed by 85 catches for 997 yards in 2015. However, his stint with the Bills was underwhelming—he posted just 25 catches for 282 yards across 10 games before suffering an injury.

Buffalo’s failure to reach Super Bowl LII in 2017 reflected the struggles of that roster, including Matthews. After being released in 2018, he bounced around the league: briefly with the New England Patriots (cut in the preseason), then returning to the Eagles (2018–2019), and later joining the San Francisco 49ers (2021–2022). His final NFL catch came in 2019 with Philadelphia.

In an effort to reinvent himself, Matthews transitioned to tight end with Carolina but saw limited action—just five games over two seasons, without recording a single catch or target. Thursday’s release from the practice squad marked the end of that chapter.

“I gave my all,” Matthews told The Buffalo News. “Buffalo taught me resilience.” Fans on X reflected on his career, with one Bills supporter posting, “Wish he’d panned out here!” His 282 yards in Buffalo stand in stark contrast to the 2,704 yards he amassed as an Eagle.

Several Eagles players paid tribute, including A.J. Brown and Dallas Goedert. “He fought hard,” Brown remarked. Matthews’ early years helped shape the "Philly Special" era, even as tight end Zach Ertz now lines up for the rival Washington Commanders.

As Philadelphia eyes another Super Bowl run—powered by Saquon Barkley’s 2,005 total yards and Jalen Hurts’ relentless leadership—Matthews steps away, remembered more for his Eagles spark than his Bills stint.