One of many ex-Panthers who played for the Bills last season, Andre Smith will stay in Buffalo for the 2021 campaign and beyond.
The Bills agreed to terms with the would-be restricted free agent linebacker Saturday. It is a two-year deal worth as much as $3MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. This contract comes in below the RFA tender threshold and puts off Smith’s unrestricted free agency bid by a year.
Buffalo traded for Smith last year and used him in 12 games, primarily as a special-teamer. Smith made nine tackles and forced a fumble last season. He joined Mario Addison, Josh Norman, A.J. Klein, Daryl Williams and Vernon Butler among ex-Panthers to join the Bills last year. GM Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott, of course, have extensive ties to Carolina. However, neither was with the franchise when it drafted Smith.
Originally a seventh-round pick in 2018, Smith is still just 23. The North Carolina alum played in 19 games with the Panthers, who used him in the same capacity the Bills did. He is now signed through the 2022 season.