Bills FA rumors thread

[Big Turk]

1 minute ago, FilthyBeast said:

 

True but doubtful that will happen and Veach said this gives them flexibility to hammer out a long term deal.

 

But getting back to the point, the Bills obviously cant stand pat and trot out the 'run it back'  or 'build through the draft' message this year. If anything the veterans on this team aren't going to accept it given how close they are to taking that next step. Everyone behind the four walls at One Bills Drives knows the time is now to make a serious move or two in the offseason.

 

I am sure the Bills will make the appropriate moves to remain in pursuit

[YoloinOhio]

2 minutes ago, Sheneneh Jenkins said:

 

Hmmm, already been released o mayber is going to be released soon. I can't think of a "big name" off top of my head at the moment

Feels like it’s a big name FA whose agent set up a meeting with the Bills officially about something else (ie extension with current player) and that got “thrown into the conversation” so to speak to avoid tampering

[The Jokeman]

On 3/6/2022 at 2:44 PM, Allen2Diggs said:

Splash move with negative cap space?

 

Are we going to sign a pro-bowl long snapper?

Darryl Hannah, Tom Hanks and Eugene Levy are all going to lead the charge this season. 

[Patrick Duffy]

Just now, YoloinOhio said:

Feels like it’s a big name FA whose agent set up a meeting with the Bills officially about something else (ie extension with current player) and that got “thrown into the conversation” so to speak to avoid tampering

 

Davante Adams, come on down!!! lol

[Rubes]

9 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

Feels like it’s a big name FA whose agent set up a meeting with the Bills officially about something else (ie extension with current player) and that got “thrown into the conversation” so to speak to avoid tampering

 

Is Cordarelle Patterson considered a big name FA?

 

[BrooklynBills]

1 minute ago, Rubes said:

 

Is Cordarelle Patterson considered a big name FA?

 

 

I don't think he would be considered a big name FA.

 

All the Gronk talk started again around combine time. I think it's gotta be him.

[JaCrispy]

1 minute ago, Rubes said:

 

Is Cordarelle Patterson considered a big name FA?

 

Probably- if you don’t have any money to spend 😉

[That's No Moon]

2 minutes ago, Rubes said:

 

Is Cordarelle Patterson considered a big name FA?

 

For this team he would an absolutely massive get. He can cause a lot of damage with limited touches AND he's a top notch returner.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

5 minutes ago, Rubes said:

 

Is Cordarelle Patterson considered a big name FA?

 

Probably. 19 letters is pretty big.

[HOUSE]

Could be Ray Guy, we can sure use him too

 

We can't hack around forever

 

Edited March 7, 2022 by HOUSE

[Patrick Duffy]

17 minutes ago, BrooklynBills said:

 

I don't think he would be considered a big name FA.

 

All the Gronk talk started again around combine time. I think it's gotta be him.

Maybe, wasn't too long ago he was shining up Joe Burrow's ball sack, lol

Edited March 7, 2022 by Sheneneh Jenkins

[Doc]

43 minutes ago, FilthyBeast said:

He was just franchised so thy have him at least this year....

 

Actually it appears he signed a 1-year $16.5M deal, which I missed.  And the Chefs are currently almost $8M over the cap.

 

42 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Yeah…..which is why last this and this year are different and not really situations to compare 

 

Yeah, which is why "making a splash to distract from the stadium" doesn't wash.  But we'll see who they sign and for what amount.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

Hmmm

https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/03/07/mmqb-aidan-hutchinson-michigan-top-prospect

 

Already released big name players …? Amari Cooper and Zadarius Smith haven’t been released yet I don’t think 

 

 

Just to be clear here, the "Thinking must be an already released FA" seems to be Thad Brown's addition.

 

The MMQB blurb says this:

Quote

• The Bills—of Buffalo—are becoming a bit of a destination for veteran free agents. I’m told at least one big-name veteran reached out to the Bills (it’s usually the other way around) to show his interest in them and set up a meeting for his agent at the combine last week. So if the finances work out, it wouldn’t surprise me to see someone like that signed by the Bills.

 

[NewEra]

16 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

Actually it appears he signed a 1-year $16.5M deal, which I missed.  And the Chefs are currently almost $8M over the cap.

 

 

Yeah, which is why "making a splash to distract from the stadium" doesn't wash.  But we'll see who they sign and for what amount.

You’re saying that Pegula telling Beane we should make a splash due to the fans/stadium doesn’t have any legs because we went after a splashy move with Watt last year?

 

Agree to disagree.
 

 

[BillsFanForever19]

14 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Just to be clear here, the "Thinking must be an already released FA" seems to be Thad Brown's addition.

 

There isn't one of those that fit the bill. I think he's operating by what's "by the books". Which is stupid. Everyone knows that while it's technically not the "legal" tampering period, The Combine has always been the place where agents of FA's talk with teams and there's never any "tampering" claims filed over it because EVERYONE does it there.

Edited March 7, 2022 by BillsFanForever19

[Buddo]

Definitely doesn't explicitly say already released 'big name'.

 

If I was to speculate in general terms, I'd be inclined towards the offensive side of things, likely a TE, WR, RB, or more vaguely possible, O-Line.

 

The Bills generally, are an attractive destination for someone who wants a shot at a ring. Having said that, I think it should be pretty obvious that the biggest attraction, would be catching pigskins from #17.

 

If you want a guess as to who could be a likely candidate to 'reach out', who is currently a FA, then Rudolph springs to mind - although I don't consider him to be a 'big name', but I'm not the one making the claim.

[Punching Bag]

20 hours ago, NewEra said:

I think it would be pretty sad if our owner is telling our GM to make a splashy move to appease the fans.  You think that’s a good strategy?

 

I think it is pretty sad to bring up what is not even a rumor but idle speculation. 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

Hmmm

https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/03/07/mmqb-aidan-hutchinson-michigan-top-prospect

 

Already released big name players …? Amari Cooper and Zadarius Smith haven’t been released yet I don’t think 

 

That is 90% likely Gronk 

[YoloinOhio]

23 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Just to be clear here, the "Thinking must be an already released FA" seems to be Thad Brown's addition.

 

The MMQB blurb says this:

 

It’s his addition but the thought process makes sense given the timing. Would technically be illegal tampering if not.

9 minutes ago, Buddo said:

Definitely doesn't explicitly say already released 'big name'.

 

If I was to speculate in general terms, I'd be inclined towards the offensive side of things, likely a TE, WR, RB, or more vaguely possible, O-Line.

 

The Bills generally, are an attractive destination for someone who wants a shot at a ring. Having said that, I think it should be pretty obvious that the biggest attraction, would be catching pigskins from #17.

 

If you want a guess as to who could be a likely candidate to 'reach out', who is currently a FA, then Rudolph springs to mind - although I don't consider him to be a 'big name', but I'm not the one making the claim.

Forgot about Rudolph. Agree he’s not a “big name” but maybe Breer is a fan of reindeer 

[BillsFanForever19]

Had heard Allen Robinson was at the Combine with his agent. To me, he makes a lot of sense for this. He's spent his whole career with subpar QB play. Could easily see him saying "get in touch with the Bills so I can play with Josh and have Diggs taking a lot of the heat off me".

[Don Otreply]

20 hours ago, NewEra said:

I think it would be pretty sad if our owner is telling our GM to make a splashy move to appease the fans.  You think that’s a good strategy?

Yes it would be very sad if that were to happen, but Beane has made the Pegulas very respectable throughout the NFL, I just can’t see Terry or Kim trying to kill the golden goose so to speak, I can’t see this rumor being anything more than click bait. 

[BearNorth]

2 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

Had heard Allen Robinson was at the Combine with his agent. To me, he makes a lot of sense for this. He's spent his whole career with subpar QB play. Could easily see him saying "get in touch with the Bills so I can play with Josh and have Diggs taking a lot of the heat off me".

After seeing what the rookie wideouts did last year; this guy with 8 years of wear on him is going to want more than ($20MM) franchise WR money; we are cap strapped, and there are some burners in this draft class.  Is he any better than Gabe Davis as our #2?

[Doc]

20 minutes ago, NewEra said:

You’re saying that Pegula telling Beane we should make a splash due to the fans/stadium doesn’t have any legs because we went after a splashy move with Watt last year?

 

Agree to disagree.

It could be as simple as the Bills being found to be interested in a certain free agent and somebody saying “well of course they are, they have to make their fans happy with the new stadium bill coming” and then it becomes a game of telephone.  I mean how many people do you think know that Terry told Beane this? Do you think Beane, who runs a tight ship, told that to anybody else?

[Buddo]

The chances the Pegulas told Beane to 'make a splash', are, imho, slim to none, and slim has just left town.

 

I can see them letting Beane 'make a splash', and backing him to do so, but I seriously do not see them instigating anything themselves.

[NewEra]

23 minutes ago, Limeaid said:

 

I think it is pretty sad to bring up what is not even a rumor but idle speculation. 

Am I getting this right or did I misinterpret? You think it’s sad to comment about a rumor being discussed in a message board thread titled Bills FA rumors?

[TheyCallMeAndy]

Watch, it’s Shaq Lawson

[NewEra]

14 minutes ago, Don Otreply said:

Yes it would be very sad if that were to happen, but Beane has made the Pegulas very respectable throughout the NFL, I just can’t see Terry or Kim trying to kill the golden goose so to speak, I can’t see this rumor being anything more than click bait. 

Yeah, I’m not saying that the rumor is true…...

I’m saying that IF this rumor is true, it’s a really bad move by Pegula.

[JaCrispy]

1 minute ago, TheyCallMeAndy said:

Watch, it’s Shaq Lawson

For $14 million per year...😉

[Cheektowaga Chad]

19 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

Had heard Allen Robinson was at the Combine with his agent. To me, he makes a lot of sense for this. He's spent his whole career with subpar QB play. Could easily see him saying "get in touch with the Bills so I can play with Josh and have Diggs taking a lot of the heat off me".

I think allen robinson makes a lot of sense for this rumor

 

Wonder how close Robinson is/was with Mitch trubisky

 

Could be robinson sees what a year with the bills has done with trubiskys career and sees an opportunity here as well

 

Robinson has probably 1 more large contract left so taking a year with a top flight qb might be a nice little gamble on himself 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

6 minutes ago, JaCrispy said:

For $14 million per year...😉

On like a MOFO!

[Einstein's Dog]

24 minutes ago, Don Otreply said:

Yes it would be very sad if that were to happen, but Beane has made the Pegulas very respectable throughout the NFL, I just can’t see Terry or Kim trying to kill the golden goose so to speak, I can’t see this rumor being anything more than click bait. 

Also, the idea that the Pegula's would be short-sighted doesn't cut it in my book.  Forcing a short term interest boost at the possible expense of future winnings seems like a bad business decision. 

 

If the Bills remain good, the whole enterprise will be a money making machine.  Losing risks everything.  I think it's safe to think the Pegula's realize this and are keeping out of a well run football operation.

[TheBeaneBandit]

22 minutes ago, BearNorth said:

After seeing what the rookie wideouts did last year; this guy with 8 years of wear on him is going to want more than ($20MM) franchise WR money; we are cap strapped, and there are some burners in this draft class.  Is he any better than Gabe Davis as our #2?

Probably not but for the right price we'd have a sweet trio for sure.

Edited March 7, 2022 by TheBeaneBandit
Spelling

[BillsFanForever19]

24 minutes ago, BearNorth said:

After seeing what the rookie wideouts did last year; this guy with 8 years of wear on him is going to want more than ($20MM) franchise WR money; we are cap strapped, and there are some burners in this draft class.  Is he any better than Gabe Davis as our #2?

 

First, he's not making more than Franchise money. Not coming off last year. Spotrac (which is, no pun intended, generally spot on) lists his market at 16 mil a year.

 

Second, if he wants to come here that badly to reach out to us, he'll have to be willing to take a team friendly deal, which would come under that number.

 

And lastly, we will be losing Emmanuel Sanders, Cole Beasley, and Isaiah McKenzie (also Jake Kumerow, if you need him). That's more than HALF of our core. Signing Robinson would take up one of the 4 spots. We would still draft a speed WR, probably in the mid rounds as it's a deep WR class.  And Gabe Davis would still be getting a lot of work, as again, Robinson is just one WR in with 4 out the door.

 

As for the money, that's where the quote from Joe Schoen comes in that we're doing work to have serious money and the report that ownership wants to make a big splash come in to play.

Edited March 7, 2022 by BillsFanForever19

[HappyDays]

2 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

Hmmm

https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/03/07/mmqb-aidan-hutchinson-michigan-top-prospect

 

Already released big name players …? Amari Cooper and Zadarius Smith haven’t been released yet I don’t think 

 

 

I would bet on Kyle Rudolph. He was released last Wednesday which matches up with the timing of meeting the Bills at the combine. For the vet minimum I might take a swing at Rudolph, but only if we can't do better.

[wppete]

On 3/6/2022 at 2:31 PM, YoloinOhio said:

 

Who has ESPN+ and can find the rumor Thad is referring to?

[Hapless Bills Fan]

7 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

Had heard Allen Robinson was at the Combine with his agent. To me, he makes a lot of sense for this. He's spent his whole career with subpar QB play. Could easily see him saying "get in touch with the Bills so I can play with Josh and have Diggs taking a lot of the heat off me".

 

I don't think he fits the bill for "already released", but of course if he's careful nothing stops him from bumping into Beane and expressing how he'd love to play for a QB like Josh Allen, or stops his agent from scheduling a meeting to discuss other clients who are playing for the Bills or potential trade targets of the Bills *nudge nudge*

[BillsFanForever19]

1 hour ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

I don't think he fits the bill for "already released", but of course if he's careful nothing stops him from bumping into Beane and expressing how he'd love to play for a QB like Josh Allen, or stops his agent from scheduling a meeting to discuss other clients who are playing for the Bills or potential trade targets of the Bills *nudge nudge*

 

I disagree with Thad Brown's assumption that it has to be a recently released player. I've actually been going back and forth with him on Twitter about it and he's said nothing that makes me feel it's gospel and anything more than him pontificating.

 

 

As I stated in a previous post, the Combine is and always has been the place where agents meet with teams behind closed doors. While it's "technically" not legal - it happens every year and everyone knows it happens. Tampering is seldom if ever filed at the Combine because a.) It's so close to FA anyways and b.) Literally every team talks to agents there.

 

There isn't an available player that remotely comes close to a "big name free agent" or even Thad's watered down description. And also - if it were a free and clear FA, there would be no reason to be vague about it. Breer would just give the players name.

Edited March 7, 2022 by BillsFanForever19

[The Firebaugh Kid]

Zach Ertz yall.

You're welcome 😊 

[FieldGeneral]

With our cap space and the viable free agents, it's not possible. 

[Patrick Duffy]

49 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

I disagree with Thad Brown's assumption that it has to be a recently released player. I've actually been going back and forth with him on Twitter about it and he's said nothing that makes me feel it's gospel and anything more than him pontificating

I agree with you that it may not be anyone recently released, if there's anything to this at all that is.