He has become a polarizing figure among fans of the Buffalo team during his brief time in the professional league. Despite showing moments of excellence with crucial interceptions, his aggressive playstyle and tendency for ill-timed penalties have hindered him from earning full confidence from his coaches. As he heads into his third season at 23 years old, he remains a talented and promising player, but with only 16 games played and 55 tackles recorded so far, his future is uncertain.
Most people would agree that it is premature to dismiss the possibility of the 2022 first-round pick succeeding, but based on his performance so far, it is reasonable to question his long-term viability as a starting player in Western New York. However, there seems to be a shift in the narrative for Elam as he impressed during the Buffalo Bills’ June minicamp, making several interceptions and earning praise from beat writers as the standout performer. Head coach Sean McDermott acknowledged Elam’s strong offseason and intends to give him first-team reps at the beginning of the team’s 2024 training camp.
McDermott emphasized the importance of belief and confidence for a player’s performance, expressing faith in Elam’s potential for his third year in the league. Elam will have the opportunity to prove himself during training camp, running with both the first and second groups to continue his development.
This is a positive development for Elam, who may be facing a critical year as the Bills will need to decide on his fifth-year option after the 2024 season. While he faces a tough challenge in surpassing players like Rasul Douglas and possibly Christian Benford on the depth chart, the fact that he is being given a chance is a hopeful sign. All Elam needs is an opportunity to showcase his skills, and he will have that opportunity during training camp.
