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Buffalo Bills News & Rumors

Bills Tried To Trade For Martavis Bryant In 2017

February 25th, 2018 at 2:50pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Although the Bills ultimately acquired wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin at the 2017 trade deadline, they were also targeting another pass-catcher last season. Buffalo attempted to “get involved” in talks for Steelers wideout Martavis Bryant, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com.Martavis Bryant (vertical)

Given their level of interest last year, it’s conceivable the Bills could circle back and try to initiate talks with the Steelers again this year. However, it’s unclear whether Pittsburgh has any intention of trading Bryant, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract. While Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com recently reported the Steelers aren’t shopping Bryant, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com indicated Pittsburgh is listening to offers and will likely discuss the 26-year-old pass-catcher at the combine.

Bryant has caused conflicting reports in the past, especially when it comes to his trade value and availability: last year, for example, Bryant may or may not have requested a Pittsburgh exit. But after the season, Bryant said he wanted to return to the Steelers in 2018.

Buffalo, meanwhile, still boasts one of the NFL’s least inspiring wide receiver units even after picking up Benjamin last season. Benjamin isn’t guaranteed his 2017 salary and could still be released, but if he returns, he’ll join last year’s second-round pick, Zay Jones, as the Bills’ top two wideouts. Buffalo also has five pass-catchers — including Deonte Thompson and Jordan Matthews — scheduled to hit free agency next month.

Last year, Bryant matched a career-high with 50 receptions, although he only managed 12.1 yards per reception (he’d posted 17.3 yards per catch during his first two years with the Steelers). Bryant was above-average in terms of efficiency, however, as Football Outsiders ranked him 37th among 86 qualifiers in DVOA, which measures value on a per-play basis.

Will Bills Cut Kelvin Benjamin To Clear Cap Space?

February 24th, 2018 at 9:40pm CST by Ryan Posner

Could Bills Still Deal Tyrod Taylor Despite Picking Up Bonus?

February 24th, 2018 at 5:51pm CST by Ryan Posner
  • The Bills are reportedly unwilling to cut quarterback Tyrod Taylor before the league year begins on March 16, meaning his $6MM roster bonus would go into effect. But both Florio and Joe Buscaglia of WKBW Buffalo opine that the move doesn’t mean the Bills are committed to hanging on to Taylor. By taking on the $6MM, they allow themselves the chance to let free agency play out, possibly opening up trade opportunities for Taylor.

Bills Unlikely To Cut Tyrod Taylor

February 22nd, 2018 at 4:36pm CST by Zachary Links
  • At this point, it doesn’t seem likely that the Bills will cut Tyrod Taylor before they have a replacement lined up at quarterback, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link). Rapoport hears that the Bills are comfortable with paying Taylor’s $6MM roster bonus just to keep him on the roster, giving them the option of either trading him or keeping him to start this season in front of a rookie. If they pay out Taylor’s bonus, his contract will effectively boil down to a one-year, $10MM deal, which should make him attractive to QB-needy teams who lose out on this year’s top free agents or are unable to bid that high.

Cordy Glenn A Possible Trade Chip?

February 17th, 2018 at 8:26pm CST by Sam Robinson
  • Two AFC East tackles are cap-casualty candidates in the view of OverTheCap’s Jason Fitzgerald. The Jets will save $4.67MM by cutting Ben Ijalana, who has mostly served as a backup aside from his 13 starts in 2016. The Bills may have a tougher decision regarding Cordy Glenn, but since signing a five-year extension in 2016, the formerly durable left tackle has has struggled to stay healthy. It would cost the Bills $9.6MM in dead money to cut Glenn, with $4.85MM coming Buffalo’s way in savings, and Fitzgerald could see the team putting him on the trade block. The Bills have second-rounder Dion Dawkins as an in-house replacement option and could see if another team would gamble on Glenn given the dearth of available tackle talent.

Bills Meet With Vontae Davis

February 15th, 2018 at 3:04pm CST by Zachary Links

The Vontae Davis tour is underway. The cornerback is taking his first free agent visit on Thursday with the Bills, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Vontae Davis (vertical)

The former Colts standout was released by November amidst health issues and a possible clashing between him and the coaching staff. This week, Davis was given medical clearance by doctors, paving the way for him to meet with interested clubs.

Like fellow cornerback David Amerson, Davis has the unique distinction of being an impact free agent who is available here in February. The Bills face the possibility of losing E.J. Gaines in free agency if they cannot re-sign him, so they’ll be keenly interested in someone like Davis who can bolster their depth – even if Gaines stays – and also contribute at safety.

Davis, who turns 30 in May, has not done much over the last two seasons. However, he did earn back-to-back Pro Bowl nods in 2014 and 2015.

Bills Hire Terry Robiskie As WRs Coach

February 14th, 2018 at 9:40am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Bills have hired former Titans offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie as wide receivers coach, the club announced today.Terry Robiskie (Vertical)

Robiskie, 63, produced middling results as Tennessee’s offensive play-caller during the past two seasons, and it’s believed former Titans head coach Mike Mularkey‘s refusal to fire Robiskie led to Mularkey’s own dismissal. While Robiskie may have a lackluster track record as an offensive coordinator, he does offer years of experience as a wide receivers coach. He’s led wideouts in Washington, Cleveland, Miami, and Atlanta over the past 30 years, and experienced great success with the Falcons, with whom he coached stars such as Roddy White and Julio Jones.

In Buffalo, Robiskie won’t quite be working with another White/Jones combination, as the Bills currently possess one of the least inspiring wide receiver depth charts in the league. 2017 trade acquisition Kelvin Benjamin and 2017 second-round pick Zay Jones are the club’s top two pass-catchers, while Buffalo has five wideouts — including Jordan Matthews and Deonte Thompson — headed for free agency.

Before signing on with the Bills, Robiskie also discussed a reunion with the Falcons, with whom he would have become a running backs coach, tweets Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com.

Opinion: Bills Should Re-Sign E.J. Gaines

February 13th, 2018 at 10:00pm CST by Ryan Posner

ESPN’s NFL Nation identified each team’s biggest decision in free agency and Field Yates of ESPN.com (Insider subscription required) took a crack at determining what each team should do with their decision. Of note, Yates believes the Bills should pay what it takes to retain free-agent cornerback E.J. Gaines. The Bills acquired the 25-year-old defensive back from the Rams prior to last season as part of a package for wide receiver Sammy Watkins and Pro Football Focus ranked him as the league’s 13th-best cornerback last season. Gaines was one of several pieces the Bills added last year to improve their secondary, including first-round selection TreDavious White and signing Micah Hyde.

Bills Hope To Re-Sign LB Preston Brown?

February 13th, 2018 at 7:15pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Bills have suggested they’d like to re-sign free agent linebacker Preston Brown, as Brown himself details to Mike Rodak of ESPN.com.Preston Brown (Vertical)

“In the exit meeting [after Buffalo’s playoff loss to Jacksonville], coach made it sound like they wanted me back,” Brown tells Rodak. “He said some things that sounded like that. But you never know what’s going to happen during free agency. I would love to go back to Buffalo. That’s the No. 1 choice for me.”

Brown, 25, has been a full-time starter since entering the league as a third-round pick in 2014. Given the staff turnover in Buffalo, Brown has played under three head coaches, and thus, three defensive schemes: 2014 and 2017 were spent in 4-3 fronts, while Brown was deployed in a 3-4 look during Rex Ryan‘s two years as the Bills’ coach.

Brown is clearly more productive in a 4-3 front, as he’s graded as a league-average linebacker in that scheme while registering barely roster-able play while in a 3-4, per Pro Football Focus. He won’t have to learn a new defense if he stays in Buffalo, as head coach Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier will both return.

With free agency scheduled to open next month, Brown is likely searching for a multi-year deal that pays him in the neighborhood of $5-6MM annually. If he does reach free agency, Brown will find an open market that is well-stocked with linebackers, which could potentially limit his suitors. Zach Brown, NaVorro Bowman, Avery Williamson, Preston Brown, Demario Davis, Anthony Hitchens and Derrick Johnson are just a few of the off-ball ‘backers who are scheduled to be available next month.

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