‘”Built for Buffalo” is a series created by the Bills to document the planning and construction of the team’s new stadium. Just last month the first major construction milestone was reached when the first steel beam was installed at the site.’
BillsBeat - March 6, 2024
BillsBeat - March 5, 2024
Buffalo Bills agree to trade OL Ryan Bates to Chicago Bears for fifth-round draft pick
‘Bates served as the Bills’ primary interior offensive line backup, but also can play tackle. In a way, that may have hurt him in Buffalo, because the team liked his ability to come off the bench and step into any spot on the offensive line. The Bears’ starting center last season, Lucas Patrick, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next week, so Bates seemingly will get the opportunity to win that job in Chicago.’
Bills free agency tiers: Who should be brought back? Who's readying to say goodbye?
‘Here is our sense of how those free agents should be grouped.’
Trading guard is just a start in Bills salary cap plan: Possible contract, player moves
‘The big move, and the most obvious, will be converting most of Josh Allen’s scheduled base salary of $23.5 million into a bonus and push that money into the future, a transaction that will open up around $22.7 million. This has become a necessary evil with the Allen contract because his cap hits are enormous now that his $258 million extension signed in 2021 is in full bloom.’
Buffalo Bills trade versatile OL Ryan Bates to Chicago Bears for 2024 draft pick
‘According to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic, the Bills cleared about $1.4 million in cap space by sending Bates to Chicago. It’s not significant space in terms of the salary cap, but Buffalo has some young players currently on their roster who could ultimately take Bates’ spot on a lower contract.’
Buffalo Bills could ‘swoop in’ for wide receiver from division rival in free agency (report)
‘Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reported on Monday that Buffalo could potentially pursue New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne if he hits free agency. According to Callahan’s sources, Buffalo is one of three teams who previously expressed interest and could swoop in for the receiver in free agency this year.’
Multiple receivers surging into first round highlights combine workout takeaways
‘Brian Thomas Jr., LSU: Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU’s Malik Nabers and Washington’s Rome Odunze — the first two didn’t partake in drills — are still separate from the rest of the receiver class, but Thomas may have inched closer to the pack and further from being available late in the first round.’
Tuesday's Chicago Coverage
Two years later, the Chicago Bears get their man in Ryan Bates. He could be the answer to the issue at center. (Chicago Tribune)
Bears trade 2024 5th-round draft pick for Bills OL Ryan Bates (Chicago Sun Times)
Bears trade for Bills’ Bates (Arlington Heights Daily Herald)
Bears trade fifth-round pick for Ryan Bates from Buffalo Bills (NBC Sports Chicago)
Chicago Bears agree to trade 5th round pick for Buffalo Bills lineman Ryan Bates (WBBM-TV)
Chicago Bears trade 2024 draft pick for offensive line help (WFLD-TV)
Roster Move: Bears agree to acquire OL Ryan Bates from Buffalo (ChicagoBears,com)
Chicago Bears agree to trade with Buffalo Bills for OL Ryan Bates
‘Bates is entering his sixth NFL season. He is known for his versatility in being able to play various positions along the line.’
Bills trade offensive lineman Ryan Bates to Bears for a fifth-round pick
‘This trade cannot become official until the New League Year on March 13, and the transaction is pending Bates’ physical. What’s interesting is that the Bears actually tried to poach Bates last offseason after Buffalo placed a restricted tender on the interior offensive lineman. However, Buffalo matched the offer — which was a four-year deal. Now, the Bears get Bates on the deal they initially offered.’
Bears Acquire OL Ryan Bates in Trade With Bills
‘With the addition of Chicago’s fifth-round pick, Buffalo has 10 selections in the upcoming draft, including three in the fifth round.’
Bills trade OL Ryan Bates to Chicago
‘Bates almost went to Chicago in 2022. He signed with the Bears as a restricted free agent, but the Bills matched the four-year, $17 million deal, which brought him back to Buffalo.’
Bills trade OL Ryan Bates to Chicago
‘Bates has spent five seasons with the Bills, making 19 starts and playing in 73 total games.’
Bills agree to terms to trade Ryan Bates to Chicago for a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft
‘Bates spent five seasons in Buffalo playing in 73 games and making 19 starts. He appeared in 17 games in 2023 but did not make a start.’
What prospects at the NFL Combine had to say about the Buffalo Bills | 2024
‘”We were just talking a lot of football, talking about his time at LSU,” Thomas Jr. said during media availability during the combine. “I think I would fit very well in the Bills offense. Joe Brady, just him being at LSU during that time, I liked his offense so I feel like I would fit pretty good in that offense.”‘