Inside the Bills: Throughout turbulent career, cornerback Kaiir Elam finds way to contribute

Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott was unusually blunt last week in asking why Kaiir Elam had been a healthy inactive for three straight games.

Everythings earned, McDermott said.

Thats part of every decision, a big part of every decision, for most of the reasons of who is active or inactive.

Everythings earned and will continue to be earned as we move forward.

Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam stepped into the starting lineup in Week 15 because of an injury to Rasul Douglas.

If that was McDermotts way of sending a message, it appears to have been received by Elam, the teams 2022 first-round draft pick.

With starter Rasul Douglas out of the lineup Sunday because of a knee injury, Elam stepped into the lineup for the first time since playing five defensive snaps against the Colts in Week 10.

Youve got to get in a rhythm corners all about rhythm, Douglas said.

So, this was his second game, but his first one in a little minute, but it seemed like he settled in quick.

I was like, Man, hes playing good out there.

Hes making a lot of plays.

It has not been an easy season, or career, for Elam.

Although he had a strong spring and training camp, Douglas and Christian Benford won the starting jobs out of training camp.

Elam has thus made only two starts against the Lions in Week 15 and against the Dolphins in Week 9 when Benford was out of the lineup due to injury.

Otherwise, hes been a reserve, or more recently, hes been inactive for games.

Thats been challenging, but teammates and coaches say Elam has stayed engaged even when hes not in the lineup.

I was more so disappointed than surprised, Elam said of being inactive, starting in Week 11 against the Chiefs.

At the end of the day, all I could do is continue to work, continue to stay ready and prepare like I was going to go out there and be the guy.

My confidence was always high in myself.

I showed what I can do in OTAs and training camp.

Every day in practice, I go out there and compete my (butt) off.

Its just staying ready and not letting things get to you.

I think thats the biggest thing for me.

While it was far from a banner day for the defense, which allowed 42 points in a win over the Lions, Elam felt like he contributed to the victory, and the advanced stats are validation.

Analytics website Pro Football Focus gave him the fifth-highest individual grade for a Bills defender against the Lions, and two of the players graded above him reserve safety Kareem Jackson and defensive tackle Austin Johnson played a lot fewer snaps.

Elam, meanwhile, was on the field for all 79 defensive snaps.

Its rewarding for him, and thats what I want.

I got into it because I gain joy from seeing other guys have success, Bills cornerbacks coach Jahmile Addae said of Elams performance.

Its good to see it, but Im more happy for him in terms of his body of work and what he put forth in order to get to that spot and that point.

This isnt the first time, but in the number of times when his number has been called, hes handled his business, and this time was no different.

I thought that he was punctual.

I thought he was intense.

I thought he was intentional about technique.

All the things that I ask him to do, not perfect, but definitely working toward it.

Kaiirs always ready, added nickel cornerback Taron Johnson.

Every week, whether hes up or not, hes preparing like hes about to play in a game.

I respect so much about him and how hard he works.

Hes just always ready.

After the win, Addae posted a picture on social media of himself working on a drill with Elam, accompanied by a message that read in part shout out to my guy ...

Hard work and dedication at its finest.

Well done champ.

Elam was unaware of Addaes post until a Buffalo News reporter showed him.

His response? Thats whats up, he said with a smile.

Im going to retweet that.

Thats awesome.

Im blessed and grateful just because of how he continued to pour into me, even when I wasnt playing.

He coached me like I was about to play, like I was about to get ready to start.

Addae is in his first season with the Bills.

One big reason he was brought to Buffalo was to help get more out of Elam, whom the Bills traded up in the first round to draft in 2022 out of Florida.

Coach and player have formed a strong bond this year.

He just keeps it real with me, and thats what I respect the most out of any coach, Elam said.

Just keep it real with me.

You dont have to sugarcoat anything, you dont have to lie to me.

Just keep it real and keep things fair.

I think he does a great job of doing that, and I appreciate that.

Bills defensive back Kaiir Elam, right, causes a turnover by Lions receiver Jameson Williams during the second half Sunday in Detroit.

Addae has been impressed with Elams resolve in the face of a turbulent career to this point.

Sometimes guys dont necessarily have that, he said.

They have the athletic traits, they have the attributes, but maybe not what it takes above the neck to fight through or continue to work through tough times.

Those tough times may not be done.

Were all grown men and professionals here.

Everybody understands that theyve got to fit within the puzzle and do their best and do their job whenever called on, and thats what Kaiir did last week.

To Addaes point, Elams spot in the starting lineup might not be long lasting.

Douglas spoke to reporters Thursday and expressed confidence that he will be back in the lineup Sunday against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium.

Obviously, I would want to be the day one guy and the starter, but if thats the role I didnt earn, its like OK, cool, whats the next step? Elam said.

Just staying ready, making plays when my number is called and just continue to rely on my coach to give me the tools to go out there and succeed.

If nothing else, Elam has shown that he can be a trusted veteran behind Douglas and Benford.

While thats surely not what the team had in mind when it used it drafted him, its still valuable to the roster.

With three games left before what the team hopes is a long playoff run, it remains to be seen if, or when, Elams number will be called again.

I thought he did some good things, defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said.

Obviously, every player, you guys know, when I sit here, every players got things to improve on.

But Kaiir has been working at practice, working in meetings and all those things.

We talk about work while you wait.

Hes been working while he waits.

You can only be ready for when your opportunity comes.

There were some things he did really well and some things that he could improve on.

Thats every player that played.

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