Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer made headlines over the weekend when he expressed his frustration with New York’s high taxes and his desire to play for a team in a state with a more favorable tax code.

Poyer’s comments are reflective of the financial burden that many New Yorkers face due to the state’s oppressive tax system. In addition to the high taxes, the cost of living in New York is one of the highest in the nation, making it difficult for many people to make ends meet.

According to Sports Illustrated, Poyer’s discontent with New York’s high taxes stems from his recent success in the NFL, which came after he turned 30. His career exploded, and as a result, he earned $5.6 million in 2022, more than his combined earnings from the previous three years.

“A lot of people ask me, ‘Oh, if it wasn’t Buffalo, where would you go?’ I kind of ponder the question every once in a while,” Poyer said during his podcast. “I would love to go to a state that doesn’t take half my money. It’s crazy to me how taxes work. Some people will say, ‘You’re already making X amount of money.’ Taxes play a big part in all of our lives … If it wasn’t Buffalo, it’d be nice to be warm. It would be nice to see the sun, maybe, every week or so, every other week at least.”

With six seasons under his belt with the Buffalo Bills, Poyer expressed his desire to continue playing as he enters free agency.

“I don’t know. I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Poyer said. “I’d be happy to have an opportunity to play anywhere. I’ve been playing 10 years. I know how to play this game. I know how to prepare for this game. This offseason already has started off great, getting my body right. I feel really good right now. And I’m excited about the next opportunity. I don’t know how it’s going to play out or how it’s going to work out. What’s going to make sense is going to make sense.”

New York State has one of the country’s highest tax rates, placing a significant financial burden on residents of the state. While other states offer more favorable tax codes, New York has chosen to rely heavily on income taxes, which has led tens of thousands of former New Yorkers to vote with their feet and move to lower-tax climates like Florida.