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Ryan O'Halloran: Learning never stops for DaQuan Jones, the Buffalo Bills' most experienced…

The offseason departures of punter Sam Martin, 35, and defensive end Von Miller, 36, have pushed Buffalo Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones to the top of charts.

Jones, 33, is the oldest player on the roster, and entering Year 12, two more than the next-closest player (defensive end Joey Bosa).

But even with 155 games (149 starts) under his belt, Jones was still going through Tuesday’s organized team activity workout with a purpose as if it was 2014 and he was a fourth-round pick with the Tennessee Titans.

“There is always something to learn,” Jones said. “This is a never-ending sport of knowledge. You can never feel like you’ve arrived or know everything.”

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Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones is entering his 12th NFL season, most of any player on the Bills roster. Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News

Jones’ personal modus operandi goes back to his rookie year and working with then-Tennessee Titans defensive line coach Giff Smith. Those who don’t apply themselves will get left behind … quickly.

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“(Smith) didn’t mince any words about being there and then being cut during training camp or the next year,” Jones said. “I always play with that fear because I know this could be the year I get cut and the game is taken away from me. I cherish every year. That’s been my motto.”

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I half-figured Jones might be on the chopping block after the Bills completed their defensive tackle business, signing Larry Ogunjobi and drafting T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker. Jones has a base salary of $7.75 million that becomes fully guaranteed if he’s on the Week 1 roster.

It makes sense for the Bills to keep Jones, though. Ogunjobi is suspended for Weeks 1-6 and Sanders/Walker will likely experience the usual ups and downs. Plus, Jones played 546 snaps last year and had 12½ pass-rush disruptions per my charting (2½ sacks, 4½ knockdowns and 5½ pressures) and five run “stuffs” (gain or 1 or fewer yards not including goal line). Two years ago, he played 643 snaps.

If anything, Jones might be able to taper his playing time to stay fresh when the Bills will get Sanders and Walker on the field for base-down work.

“Going into Year 12 and having guys I can rely on and take snaps off me, I’m looking forward to that for sure,” Jones said.

Jones said the feedback from the Bills’ coaches about his 2024 play was “all positive,” but that doesn’t mean he is easing up. You don’t make it to a second decade playing pro football by cutting corners.

“I’m coming out here (to practice) with my mouth closed and ears open and taking everything in and trying to make sure I can take their (coaching) and what they want done and apply it,” he said.

Quick kicks

1. Installing offense. The Bills will end their offseason program next week with three scheduled mandatory minicamp practices (Tuesday-Thursday). Coach Sean McDermott opted for nine on-field sessions instead of the maximum 13. Does that mean the Bills will still install their entire offensive playbook?

“For the most part,” backup quarterback Mike White said. “I would say 80% of the playbook is in now. It’s different because at this time of year, you want to teach the basis of the offense and get the shifts and motions down and then you have your red zone, third down and two-minute days.

“This league is so week to week, game plan-oriented but you can (work) on those base calls that you know will be in the game plan every week no matter what. That’s what this time of year is for and also experimenting.”

2. Community service. The NFL announced Thursday it was donating more than $1 million grants to 400 current and former players and coaches to help conduct youth football camps this summer.

Ten Bills players received grants for camps in their home areas: Ogunjobi, tight end Dawson Knox, defensive ends A.J. Epenesa and Greg Rousseau, receivers Keon Coleman and Elijah Moore, safeties Damar Hamlin and Darrick Forrest and cornerbacks Christian Benford and Ja’Marcus Ingram.

3. Hall of Fame ties. The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame announced its 2025 ballot this week and includes 77 players and nine coaches from the FBS level and 101 players and 34 coaches from the divisional level.

The Bills connections: linebacker George Cumby (1986), running back Kenneth Davis (1989-94), running back Marshawn Lynch (2007-10), linebacker Takeo Spikes (2003-06) in the FBS level and running back Fred Jackson (2007-14) in the divisional level.

Also, University at Buffalo linebacker Gerry Quinlivan is a finalist in the divisional level. Quinlivan was a first-team All-America in 1984, four-year starter, two-time captain and a national scholar athlete. Former Bills quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey is on the FBS player ballot.

4. Smoot back to Jax. Veteran defensive end Dawuane Smoot, who played last year for the Bills, returned to the Jacksonville Jaguars this week. Smoot was the Jaguars’ third-round pick in 2017 and played seven seasons for the club before joining the Bills (11 games, 1½ sacks). New Jaguars defensive line coach Matt Edwards was the Bills assistant line coach last year.

Smoot’s signing leaves Miller (who was cut), receiver Amari Cooper, cornerback Rasul Douglas and defensive linemen Austin Johnson, Quinton Jefferson and Jordan Phillips as Bills free agents still available.

5. Extra points. For out-of-Buffalo-area-market Bills fans, the team’s preseason opener against the New York Giants on Aug. 9 (1 p.m.) will be televised live by NFL Network. … The Bills will have one joint practice in Lake Forest, Ill., ahead of their Aug. 16 preseason game at the Chicago Bears. The Bills practiced against the Pittsburgh Steelers last August. … Bills general manager Brandon Beane played in the Canadian Open pro-am Wednesday at TPC Toronto with pros Patrick Fishburn and Kevin Roy. … The NFL didn’t take a big flier in scheduling the Bills’ Nov. 30 game at Pittsburgh in the premium 4:25 p.m. window (big ratings are a given), but quarterback Aaron Rodgers is now in the mix for the Steelers.

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