Buffalo Bills fans spent a small portion of this week fearing the worst after All Pro cornerback TreDavious White announced on Wednesday he was mulling over whether to play in the 2020 NFL season.

NFL teams around the league can now move forward with their rosters set following Thursdays league-mandated deadline for players to opt out. In total, 69 players chose to opt out as teams attempt to partake in a season while the coronavirus pandemic continues its grip on the country.

The Bills keep their elite secondary intact following Whites decision not to opt out and instead play.

Consider that music to new Buffalo cornerback Josh Normans ears. In his first press conference with the local media on Thursday, Norman said he already believes the assembled parts in the Bills defensive backfield make it a fantastic unit.

Weve got the best secondary in the league, Norman proclaimed. I think guys really sleep on Micah (Hyde) and Po (Jordan Poyer) back there because they really do a great job over the top. And then coming down in the box as well. They are (one) of the best (safety) tandems in the league I think - to me.

And then you have Tre obviously on the other side. He does a great job as just keying on his man. Having a guy in that position to go in, day in and day out, and make a play. And then you gotta Levi (Wallace) on the other side. Hes doing a great job - Taron (Johnson) in the nickel. We got so many guys that you can put into this position in the secondary. You see what theyve done the last couple of years (and) been at the top of the league. I dont expect anything else.

White has been one of the leagues best cornerbacks the past two seasons. He had his coming out party in 2019 when he led the NFL in interceptions and didnt allow a single touchdown all season, leading him to first team All Pro honors.

Norman knows something about those kind of accolades. In his final season with the Carolina Panthers in 2015, Norman turned in a career season and helped his team reach the Super Bowl. He had four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two touchdowns.

Since signing with the Bills as a free agent in March following his release by the Washington football team, Norman has been watching White. He admitted that the young standout cornerback reminds him of himself when he was a young player in the league.

I think Tre is up and coming, man. Hes already here really, Norman said. Hes doing so many things, Im just looking at him and just being amazed too. ... Just seeing how hes really explosive, and hes taking every rep as if its his last rep. Just how hes able to work.

Bills coach Sean McDermott has built the organization into a playoff caliber operation partly because of the culture of competition hes created within the locker room. Young players and veterans alike know they have to compete to earn their jobs. That basic requirement has helped cultivated an environment where the players on the team push each other in each position room.

Normans already started to push himself based on what hes seen from White.

One dog see another dog, they look in like, Oh shoot, what hes doing, I better be doing that too. So it pushes you a little bit more than the other, Norman said. Its only going to make us so much better as a unit. Because if one person do something, its gonna only turn the other one up even more.

I think that competition there is gonna be essential to us bridging over into those late games, those late times where somebodys gonna need a play. And you look at one another and be like, Hey look, its gonna be you or its gonna be me. I think that time now, while that grind is going hard, is what is gonna pay off in the long run.

Norman is expected to compete for the starting cornerback spot opposite White in training camp the next few weeks. Teams across the league will begin to ramp things up over the next few days and padded practices will begin on Aug. 17.

How is Norman planning to make an impact?

Im a turnover guy - (a) turnover machine, man, he said. Five a year that we put a ball - we put it on the ground (in Carolina). Whether it (was) a punch out, whether its taking the ball out of the air. We bringing that to this table. I think a couple more turnovers here and this team can go pretty far.

And then (Im bringing) my knowledge in certain situations and key places. Also bringing that mindset of teamwork. Building that and building the camaraderie amongst each other as a group. I think thats one of the most key things that you need in going deep into your runs.

How Josh Allen, George Kittle helped Dawson Knox grow this offseason

Matt Milano wouldnt want to be anywhere else long-term

OH THANK GOD: Bills Mafia reacts to Tre White deciding to play in 2020

More here:
Bills Josh Norman motivated by TreDavious White: Weve got best secondary in the league - syracuse.com