The Bills are apparently in the market for a tight end. According to ESPN’s Adam Caplan (via Twitter), the team worked out veteran Chase Ford today.
Ford, 27, hasn’t played an NFL game since 2014, but he showed plenty of promise during his tenure with the Vikings. Between 2013 and 2014, the former undrafted free agent out of Miami hauled in 34 catches for 391 yards and one touchdown in 20 games (five starts). Since that time, the 27-year-old has spent time with the Ravens and Browns (he also had a stint with the Eagles to begin his professional career).
Despite underwhelming performance from the position in recent years, the Bills did little to improve their tight end corps this offseason. Charles Clay, who signed with the organization prior to the 2015 season, has averaged 54 receptions for 540 yards and three touchdowns during his two years in Buffalo. Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News previously lamented the team’s lack of tight end production, and he attributed Clay’s $9MM cap hit to the fact that the Bills didn’t add reinforcement this summer.
If Ford is ultimately signed, he’ll still have plenty of competition to overcome for a reserve role. Besides Clay, the Bills are currently rostering tight ends Nick O’Leary, Gerald Christian, and Logan Thomas.
Nick O’Leary is the next gronk