After seeing restricted free agent Ryan Bates sign an offer sheet with the Bears, the Bills faced the decision of matching it or watching him leave for no compensation. Today, they have decided on the former course of action, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that the contract is worth $17MM over four years (Twitter link). He adds that the first two years (valued at just under $9MM) are guaranteed. 
[RELATED: Bates Signing Bears’ Offer Sheet]
Bates took over as the Bills’ starting left guard in Week 15 of this season, and held that role through to the end of the year and the playoffs. It was the most significant playing time of his three years in the NFL. Despite the limited workload he’s handled to date, his play down the stretch generated plenty of interest. The Bills tendered him at a rate of just over $2.4MM, leaving the door open to an offer sheet coming into play.
Bates visited with the Vikings, Patriots and Bears before ultimately signing an offer sheet with the latter. Chicago was looking to add to the interior of their line, having lost guard James Daniels to the Steelers earlier this offseason. Now, they will continue to search for a replacement in the second and third waves of the free agent market.
The Bills, meanwhile, are indeed able to retain one of their breakout players from last year. Some felt they should have tendered Bates at the second-round level to assure themselves of draft compensation, but now they have him under contract for the medium-term future.
Bummer. Could have been a nice get for Bears.
Not a bummer. Glad he’s back.
If you’re a Bills fan
I thought that would be obvious to be honest..
Bears continue to strike out this off-season, minimal WR help, 2 mediocre lineman that division rivals had no interest in resigning. This would all be fine if they were just tanking but they’re going to get Fields killed.
Well I am not complaining cuz Fields straight up suck big time so if this will hinder his process, this will be a good thing. The sooner the better he’s gone from Chicago and the Bears can finally get back on track. I think this is Poles’ plan — to get Fields gone cuz he knew the Bears org. fked up on the Fields draft but can’t get him out or probably can’t find a team dumber than the Bears to take him.
Play for a franchise with no hope of contending anytime soon, or a Super Bowl contender, Bates must be happy
Dissing the Bears right now, is a cheap shot. Give Poles a minute. This is gonna take a couple of years. Nate’s DID choose their offer over others who seem closer to contention…
@rondon The Bears isn’t going anywhere if they plan on keeping Fields at the helm. Hopefully Poles is a smart man and knows what he’s doing and with the slew of poor signings, he’s probably trying to get Fields out of Chicago sooner than later. I mean, everyone knows Fields isn’t a good QB and Poles most likely knows this, but it’s nearly impossible to fix that problem right now, seeing how he’s still on a rookie contract. Trading him now will anger the Fields simps and the Bears Org. so it’s best to just let him take the beating til he says, “No more, I’m out!”