Two Bills Drive

'The franchise tag for a cornerback would have cost the Bills about $15 million. Barring the two sides reaching an agreement on a new contract by next week, Gilmore will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career when the new league year starts March 9.'

'The conundrum there for the Bills, of course, is that the QB free-agent market looks quite bare at the moment, barring a surprise release or two. Washington just placed the franchise tag on Kirk Cousins, so the non-Taylor options would include Mike Glennon, Brian Hoyer, Matt Barkley and Ryan Fitzpatrick. There is no one that would count as an upgrade on Taylor.'

'If Taylor isn’t brought back, the Bills starting QB in 2017 will either be a veteran they sign or trade for, a rookie they draft, or second year signal-caller Cardale Jones. “Cardale is an option for us, as well,” McDermott said. “And so when you look at Cardale, you do look at what he did in college as part of the evaluation. You know, I've gone back and my staff has gone back and we've looked at all the practice tape, his tape in the last game of the year (at the New York Jets). So, we're excited about working with Cardale just like we are the rest of the players on the roster.”'

'I'm a first time head coach. And I respect that. And so I want to put experience around me yet at the same time have guys with great energy to get the job done. That juice is important, as you've heard me say before all morning, and yet where we didn't have experience I wanted guys with great upside in terms of some youth. And so that chemistry that starts on the staff, the players see that and I want them to feel that and develop that chemistry around the building.'

'Williams earned a fifth Pro Bowl appearance last year after collecting 64 tackles and 5 sacks, but was contemplating retiring. Originally a 6th round pick in 2006 out of LSU, Williams has been with the team longer than anyone else on the roster. He turns 34 in June and has one year remaining on his contract. He will count for $8.3 million on the Bills salary cap in 2017.'

'It is in the best interests of the Bills to have talks with agents and see what it might cost for any free agent quarterback the Bills covet and to see if that player is willing to come to Buffalo. Free agent signings and official trade announcements can start on March 9th giving the Bills two days to see what might be out there in terms of a trade for a quarterback.'

'This is a move that most saw coming. Stephon Gilmore is a really good player and wants to be paid like a great one. The Bills have held a high opinion of him but weren't ready to dole out the type of money he may seek — and get — on the open market come March 9.'

'This is humongous news for the Bills if they are trying to push towards ending the 17-year playoff drought this upcoming season. Kyle Williams has been and still is, one of the best players on the team.'

'Some will focus on the long-term aspect of his statement, but I think him mentioning the “short-term” is even more telling. To me, that means the Bills want a quarterback in place for the 2017 season that’s capable of helping them win games.'

'"We are absolutely in accord," McDermott said here at the combine on Wednesday. "Doug and I have gotten off to a great start. Doug and I have had great meetings; healthy, productive meetings. So sometimes you disagree but those disagreements are healthy. That goes for every meeting. At the end of the day we're going to have the right decision for the Bills' organization and I think Doug and I are off to a great start."'

'He added: "I think you take away a lot. I think you take away (that) everything is a learning experience. You look back, and obviously, I made mistakes in Buffalo. You look back on them and just a couple things and you just try to grow from it and do a better job. I always appreciated that experience, I thought Kim and Terry Pegula were great coming in. Mr. (Ralph) Wilson was awesome while he was alive when I was there, Mary Wilson. The people in the organization; there's a lot of great people there and I think when you go back and when you look back, I'll be honest, there's some things that I should've done differently and I think I've learned from that and it's made me a better coach today."'

'“He and I have had some extensive conversations,” said Williams in a Tuesday appearance on the John Murphy Show. “I’ve spoken with (defensive coordinator) (Leslie) Frazier and (defensive line) coach (Mike) Waufle and they came to me and said they definitely want me back.'

'“Sammy is an important part of our offense. The important part of it is his health,” McDermott said. “We’re encouraged by his progress and he’s working extremely hard attacking the rehab process and we’re looking forward to working with him.”'

'“I’ve enjoyed getting to know Tyrod and I’ve been impressed by his work ethic and he’s won a number of games for this organization,” McDermott told Buffalobills.com. “Having said that the process continues. The decision making process that is. We’re going to exhaust every resource, every avenue and every option available to us before we make that decision.”'

'Here are a handful of players to keep a close eye on this weekend as they’re expected to test through the roof.'