Buffalo Bills News & Rumors

RB Notes: Hines, Rodriguez, Cook

Here are a few RB-related items from around the league:

  • The Bills have invested heavily at the running back position in recent years, and at present, the club has 2022 second-round pick James Cook and 2023 free agent signee Damien Harris at the top of its depth chart, with newcomer Latavius Murray also in the mix. As quarterback Josh Allen is a significant part of Buffalo’s ground attack, and since the Bills also offer a bevy of quality receiving options, Ryan O’Halloran of the Buffalo News wonders how 2022 trade acquisition Nyheim Hines fits into the equation. As a member of the Colts, Hines proved that he can be a dynamic weapon, but he saw just 66 offensive snaps in nine games with the Bills last year. While O’Halloran expects Hines to continue making an impact as a return specialist, he finds it difficult to envision anything more than a gadget role for the NC State product on offense. On the other hand, RB coach Kelly Skipper suggested that Hines’ limited usage in 2022 was largely due to the complexity of the Bills’ playbook, and that Hines will see meaningful action both as a receiver and rusher this season.
  • In a feature on Commanders rookie running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., which will be of particular interest to fans of the team and which details the devastating loss of Rodriguez’s mother in January, Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post notes that the Commanders had a third-round grade on the Kentucky product. Washington was able to land Rodriguez in the sixth round, and he is currently penciled in as the third RB on the depth chart, behind Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson. As a sixth-rounder, though, he is not guaranteed a spot on the roster, especially if the team’s interest in Kareem Hunt should evolve into something more. As new OC Eric Bieniemy noted, Rodriguez will need to impress on special teams, but if he can do so, he could be well-positioned for a productive tenure in the nation’s capital. Gibson is a free agent at season’s end, and while neither Robinson nor Rodriguez offer Gibson’s upside as a receiver, both players have the type of downhill, between-the-tackles power that the team values, and the duo could form a potent 1-2 punch down the line.
  • Free agent RB Dalvin Cook recently suggested that he declined a visit with an unnamed club, and according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, that club was not the Dolphins (Twitter link). As of the time of this writing, the ‘Fins are the only named team that has definite interest in Cook’s services, though the latest reporting suggested that about six teams are in the market and that Cook has received multiple offers. Jackson says that Cook — who has previously expressed enthusiasm for joining his hometown Dolphins — remains interested in playing his home games in South Beach.

Bills Extend HC Sean McDermott, GM Brandon Beane

Two pillars of the Bills’ run of recent success will remain in place for years to come. The team announced on Friday that extensions have been signed by both head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane.

These new deals will run through 2027, the year which will mark one decade since their joint arrival in Buffalo. Both McDermott and Beane had previously signed extensions in 2020, but now their contractual futures will be aligned with one another. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweets that these new contracts had been agreed to “for some time,” but now long-term stability has been ensured well in advance of training camp and another season in which the franchise faces considerable expectations.

The Bills snapped an 18-year playoff drought during McDermott and Beane’s first season at the helm, and the team has been among the league’s most successful since that point. The selection of Josh Allen as a franchise quarterback has provided sustained performances in the regular season in particular, and only one campaign (Allen’s rookie year in 2018) outside the postseason. Overall, McDermott has posted a 62-35 record with the Bills.

The maturation of Allen (especially after the trade acquisition of wideout Stefon Diggs in 2020) has seen the Bills become one of the league’s elite offenses. Over the past three seasons, the team has ranked in the top five in both total and scoring offense, while generally delivering strong defensive performances as well. Buffalo has ranked in the top six in total defense four times under McDermott, whose first head coaching gig came after defensive coordinator stints with the Eagles and Panthers.

McDermott’s background on that side of the ball will become increasingly important in 2023, since former DC Lezlie Frazier has stepped away from his position, leaving McDermott in place as defensive play-caller. On offense, continued success under Brian Daboll successor Ken Dorsey will be a key goal after the latter led the Bills to a second-place finish in scoring last year.

Overall, this coming season (and those in the short- to intermediate future, given the franchise’s current core) will of course be judged by postseason success. The Bills have advanced to the AFC title game once under the McDermott/Beane regime, coming within 13 seconds of a Super Bowl appearance in 2020. Moves such as the signing of edge rusher Von Miller to a six-year, $120MM deal last offseason show the team’s willingness to commit to a win-now approach through Allen’s prime. They will once again face a plethora of strong competitors in their division and the AFC as a whole, though.

Much remains to be seen regarding McDermott’s and Beane’s ability to remain in Buffalo through the duration of these new pacts, of course. Continued strong showings in the regular season (like the four consecutive double-digit win seasons the team has strung together) will go a long way in ensuring stability on the sidelines and in the front office, however. A breakthrough in the playoffs would only add to the recognition both individuals have received during their tenure so far, and confirm the franchise’s latest investment in them as a sound one.

Bills Notes: Cook, Cornerback, Ateman, Coaching Staff

The Bills have done some work revamping their running back depth chart this offseason, but the team’s main holdover believes he’s ready to secure the starting gig. During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, James Cook made it clear that he’s ready to be the team’s top running back.

“Obviously, RB1,” Cook responded when asked about his role in 2023 (h/t Ryan Talbot of NewYorkUpstate.com). “So you know, just come in and do what I do. Change the game with my versatility. Catching the ball out of the backfield. Pass blocking. Just try to do what I can do to help the team win games and ultimately win the Super Bowl.”

The Georgia product was a second-round pick by the Bills last offseason and ended up getting into 16 games as a rookie. While he played second fiddle to Devin Singletary, Cook still finished the season with 687 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. Singletary is now out of the picture, although the Bills did bring in Damien Harris and Latavius Murray for some extra depth.

Even with the additions, Cook is confident that he’s prepared to be the starter, and the second-year player sounds like he’s ready to stand alongside his brother, Dalvin Cook, when it comes to the league’s top running backs.

“My goal is to be an All-Pro or Pro Bowler like my brother,” Cook said. “Hopefully be in the Pro Bowl with him one day.”

More notes out of Buffalo…

  • It’s uncertain who will start opposite Tre’Davious White at cornerback, but Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic believes the gig will ultimately come down to three players. Dane Jackson, Christian Benford, and 2022 first-round pick Kaiir Elam will “likely remain in a battle” for the CB2 gig once training camp opens, according to the writer. Buscaglia notes that the coaching staff has been adamant that the role won’t be influenced by contract or draft pedigree, meaning the competition is truly wide open for all three players.
  • The Bills added Marcell Ateman earlier this month, and Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets that the receiver inked a one-year, $940K deal. The wideout played for the St. Louis BattleHawks in the XFL this season, totaling 259 yards while not scoring a touchdown. The Oklahoma State product was a seventh-round pick by the Raiders in 2018, and he compiled 20 receptions for 270 yards and a touchdown through his first two seasons in the NFL. In Buffalo, he’s expected to be a special teamer and end-of-the-depth-chart option at WR.
  • The Bills announced yesterday (via Twitter) that they’ve promoted Eric Washington to assistant head coach/defensive line coach. The veteran coach joined the organization in 2020 as their DL coach, and he earned a promotion to senior defensive assistant before last season. He had previous stops with the Bears and Panthers, including a one-year stint as defensive coordinator in Carolina.
  • The Bills have some extra depth on the edge, meaning they could look to move on from one of their former second-round picks. Earlier today, our own Adam La Rose explored the trade candidacy of Carlos Basham Jr..

Trade Candidate: Bills DE Carlos Basham Jr.

The Bills have a number of pass rushing options at their disposal compared to previous years. The team has used both free agent deals and the draft to add to their edge rushing arsenal recently, but the latter path has not worked as expected with Carlos Basham Jr. As a result, he could find himself playing elsewhere in 2023.

Selected in the second round of the 2021 draft, ‘Boogie’ came to Buffalo with considerable expectations. His final three seasons at Wake Forest resulted in a total of 19.5 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss, demonstrating his abilities as a disruptive presence in the passing game coupled with an intriguing frame (6-3, 281 pounds). His first two years in the NFL have not gone as planned, however.

Basham has made 27 combined appearances in the regular season and playoffs, but he has yet to register a start. Playing in a rotational role behind a host of other edge rushers, he has logged a snap share of 39% in both of his Bills campaigns. Notably, his spot in the pecking order is behind that of fellow former second-round pick A.J. Epenesa. Bashasm has totaled 4.5 sacks, five tackles for loss and one interception to date.

Buffalo made a major investment in their defensive front by signing Von Miller last offseason. The future Hall of Famer’s debut Bills season was cut short by an ACL tear, but he has appeared increasingly optimistic that he could be available in time for Week 1 of the 2023 campaign. Even if that is not the case, recent addition Leonard Floyd will give the team an experienced presence off the edge. When at full strength, the Bills’ depth at the position could leave Basham better suited for a new opportunity.

As a result, the latest roster projection from Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic includes Basham being dealt before the start of the season (subscription required). His college pedigree and status as a recent second-rounder could entice teams to take a flier on him, especially since he has two years remaining on his rookie contract. At the age of 25, there could still be considerable potential yet to be unlocked by an acquiring team, particularly one willing to use him both on the edge and the interior.

A trade would yield $1.17MM in cap savings for the Bills in 2023, and another $1.43MM next year, compared to modest dead cap charges. Added flexibility could be valuable given the team’s limited space and their win-now approach, while a change of scenery could result in increased playing time for Basham. In any event, the 2023 season could prove to be a critical one in his pro development.

Poll: Who Will Sign Dalvin Cook?

Indicating on multiple occasions he plans to take his time during his first go-round in free agency, Dalvin Cook is surveying the field. The six-year Vikings running back is believed to have attracted interest from a few teams, but the market has not produced many known suitors yet.

When determining a Cook destination, it is probably logical to start with the Dolphins. Cook is a Miami native who dropped a bit of a hint about his hopes after the Vikings released him. Mutual interest is believed to exist between these parties, and while the Dolphins are not planning to give Cook a contract on par with the $12.6MM-per-year deal he signed with the Vikes back in 2020, they are expected to make an offer.

Miami adding Cook would crowd its backfield, given the re-signings of ex-Mike McDaniel 49ers charges Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, along with Myles Gaskin (though, Gaskin’s deal contains no guarantees). The team also drafted Texas A&M’s Devon Achane in Round 3. Cook would fit in on a Dolphins team loading up around Tua Tagovailoa‘s rookie contract. Tyreek Hill‘s deal represents the only notable skill-position contract on Miami’s payroll, and Tagovailoa is due to count only $9.63MM against the team’s cap this season. Next year becomes trickier, with Tua’s fifth-year option bumping his cap number to $23.17MM.

Elsewhere in the AFC East, the Jets have not exactly made their desperation a secret. They have brought in three veteran skill cogs already, in Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman and Randall Cobb, to team with Aaron Rodgers. New York features a question at running back, with Breece Hall coming off ACL surgery. But the 2022 second-round pick is on track to be ready for Week 1. The Jets have Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight and fifth-round rookie Israel Abanikanda. The Bills appear less needy, having signed Damien Harris and Latavius Murray. But the team does roster Dalvin’s younger brother, James Cook, and is aiming to capitalize on a Super Bowl window that has been open for years.

Beyond the competitive AFC East, the Bengals loom as an interesting option. They are still planning to seek a Joe Mixon pay cut. A refusal by the six-year starter would deal a blow to a locked-and-loaded offense, but in the event the $12MM-per-year back balks, the Bengals would check Cook boxes of a contender with a clear need. That said, Mixon would not have many options were he to refuse a cut. It will be interesting to see how much of a reduction Cincy requests.

The Ravens have seen their J.K. DobbinsGus Edwards backfield plan thrown off course by injuries, and considering the aggressive moves to bolster a long-shaky receiver situation, would Baltimore consider a veteran back without major injury questions? Cook has said he is recovered from the February shoulder surgery he underwent. The Browns are likely to explore the addition of a Nick Chubb backup, though the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot notes the team is unlikely to chase a Cook- or Ezekiel Elliott-level back for this role.

The NFC East profiles as another division to watch here. Elliott remains in play to return to Dallas on a significant pay reduction; Cook would be an upgrade on the popular Cowboy. But how much money would the team be comfortable shelling out during an offseason in which it tagged Tony Pollard at $10.9MM? Washington has Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson rostered, but the team is looking into former Eric Bieniemy Chiefs charge Kareem Hunt. Cook may need to compromise on his interest in landing with a contender, given the uncertainty surrounding likely Commanders QB1 Sam Howell. But the team’s running back interest should be factored into this equation.

Last month, the Buccaneers were connected to the pursuit of a veteran to complement Rachaad White. Cook would be overqualified for such a role, and Tampa Bay’s post-Tom Brady contender status is in question. But the Bucs, their Chase Edmonds acquisition notwithstanding, profile as a team that could stand to add a backfield piece. The Broncos initially came out as a team monitoring the four-time 1,100-yard rusher, joining the Dolphins in this regard, but they have since been mentioned as a team expected to steer clear of this market.

Kirk Cousins mentioned a potential Vikings reunion — which would need to come at a significantly reduced rate — and Cook has spoken highly of Minnesota. Though, this does not seem likely. Is there another team that should be mentioned as a Cook destination? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts on this summer free agency storyline in the comments section.

Latest On DeAndre Hopkins’ Free Agency

Following their free agency visit, the Patriots were making a push to sign DeAndre Hopkins. The former All-Pro wideout is believed to be intrigued by the idea of joining the Pats, but he remains unsigned.

Visits with both the Patriots and Titans are believed to have gone well, Albert Breer of SI.com notes, and veteran NFL reporter Mike Giardi offers that each team told the high-profile UFA he still offers “elite” capabilities (Twitter link). Like Dalvin Cook, however, Hopkins is taking his time surveying the market. Waiting on a potential injury or a team suddenly growing concerned about its receiving corps — scenarios that could come to pass during training camp — is also factoring into Hopkins’ decision-making, Giardi adds.

Hopkins and Bill Belichick spent time in one-on-one meetings during the Pats summit, per Breer, who adds the 10-year veteran remains close with Titans HC Mike Vrabel. That said, it looks like Hopkins is holding out hope teams with better Super Bowl LVIII odds will re-enter the equation. Absent big money, Hopkins is aiming to join a contender, Breer added during an NBC Sports Boston appearance (video link).

The Ravens’ Odell Beckham Jr. contract blew up Cardinals-Chiefs negotiations for Hopkins, who would have been bound for Kansas City on an adjusted deal. With Beckham securing $15MM fully guaranteed despite missing all of last season and having suffered two ACL tears since October 2020, Hopkins balked at taking a pay cut. Cardinals talks with the Chiefs and Bills ceased, and both Buffalo and Kansas City have drifted a bit compared to their spots on the Hopkins radar when Arizona first released him. But neither Tennessee nor New England appears to have blown Hopkins away with an offer, per Breer, potentially reopening the door for the Chiefs or Bills.

The Bills created some 2023 cap space by extending Ed Oliver but used that savings to add Leonard Floyd. They hold $5.5MM in space. The Chiefs are at just $651K, carrying the league’s lowest figure exiting minicamp. But Kansas City remains at work on a Chris Jones extension. While Jones is likely asking for a contract closer to Aaron Donald‘s $31.7MM per year than Jeffery Simmons‘ No. 2 defensive tackle deal ($23.5MM AAV), the Chiefs extending their All-Pro lineman would drop his cap number from its present $28.3MM place. That would create cap room for Kansas City to potentially re-enter the fray, and Hopkins — who has spoken highly of teaming with Patrick Mahomes on multiple occasions this offseason — can afford to be patient.

Regarding the New England fit, Hopkins and Bill O’Brien look to be back on favorable terms despite the 2020 Houston separation. And Belichick likely addressed potential concerns about Hopkins’ recent history of not practicing fully, famed ex-Patriots O-line coach Dante Scarnecchia said (via MassLive.com’s Karen Guregian). In-season practice schedules certainly do not present the grind they once did, with the CBA capping the number of padded workouts to 13 over the course of the regular season. But Hopkins has battled multiple injuries since his most recent Pro Bowl season (2020) and has missed nine games for health reasons over the past two years.

Although Hopkins did not begin his visit itinerary looking to take much of a discount from the $19.4MM salary he was due to make with the Cardinals, the first two meetings not producing take-notice money adds intrigue to this situation. The Bills and Chiefs could be back in the mix soon, but for now, the Titans and Pats are still interested.

Bills C Mitch Morse Underwent Elbow, Ankle Surgeries

Mitch Morse is on track to participate in full during the Bills’ training camp next month, but he has been sidelined to date during his recovery from multiple procedures. The veteran center had a pair of ailments addressed after playing through them during the season.

Morse underwent elbow and ankle surgeries this offseason, as detailed by Ryan O’Halloran of the Buffalo News. The former procedure was expected, after he suffered a UCL injury in Week 2. The 31-year-old was able to continue playing without an operation given his position and he managed to suit up for 13 regular season games and both of Buffalo’s postseason contests in 2022.

“They let the UCL heal itself because I’m not throwing anything – I’m just snapping it,” Morse said. “The bone fragments from the actual hit itself – there were chips around, so they just went in there and cleaned it out.”

The former second-rounder added that his ankle injury took place during Week 12, and it did not heal as anticipated. As a result, he followed up the elbow surgery with the ankle one. Like the first procedure, Morse’s comments after the second strike an optimistic tone with respect to its effectiveness.

“I’ve rolled my ankle a thousand times and this one, it just would not go away,” he said. “It got to the point where I could play, but it didn’t go away. They went in there and found a few bone spurs and floating bodies – bone chips and cartilage – they took out and that was very nice.”

The Missouri product was cleared in full for last week’s minicamp, but he did not take part in team drills. Instead, his return to full practices will come in July, where he will look to carry on a successful 2022 campaign with a clean bill of health. Morse earned his first career Pro Bowl nod last season despite missing four games, and will he once again be a key member of the Bills’ offensive front this season.

A two-year extension signed last offseason leaves Morse under contract through 2024. Guranteed salary is only in place for the coming year, though, so a strong campaign could be highly beneficial from a financial perspective. Overall, Buffalo faces the expectation of improved play along the O-line in 2023 after adding free agent Connor McGovern and rookie O’Cyrus Torrence among others as options along the interior. Morse should play a critical role in the unit’s success, something which could be easier to attain given his healthy status heading into training camp.

Bills WR Stefon Diggs Reportedly Frustrated By Role In Offense, Input In Play-Calling

While Bills quarterback Josh Allen recently classified the source of wide receiver Stefon Diggs‘ discontent with the team as “not football related,” Ben Volin of the Boston Globe has heard otherwise. Volin, citing a source “close to the Bills’ locker room,” says that Diggs is frustrated with his role in the club’s offense and his input in play-calling.

Diggs did not participate in April workouts, but since those sessions were voluntary, there was no real reason to think much of his absence, despite plenty of speculation that he was unhappy. Alarm bells did go off in earnest on the first day of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, when Bills head coach Sean McDermott told the media that Diggs was not in attendance and that he was “very concerned” as a result.

Shortly thereafter, Diggs’ agent, Adisa Bakari, pointed out that his client had met with McDermott and GM Brandon Beane over the prior two days, and on Wednesday — when Diggs participated in practice but not in team drills — McDermott definitively declared the matter resolved and said Diggs’ Tuesday absence was excused.

McDermott’s sudden about-face did not do much to quell the rumblings about Diggs’ frustration, especially since we still have not heard from the player himself. Volin’s report, which was published today, has added a little context, but there is still plenty of uncertainty.

Indeed, as Volin notes, Diggs was ranked in the top-five in targets (154), receptions (108), yards (1,429), and touchdowns (11) in 2022. Since coming to Buffalo via trade prior to the 2020 season, Diggs’ 484 targets are second only to Raiders wideout Davante Adams. As such, it is difficult to see how the Bills could increase his role in the offense, though Volin also observes that, over the final six contests of the 2022 campaign (including playoffs), Diggs averaged only 63 yards per game and caught just one TD pass. After the team’s divisional-round loss to the Bengals in January — a game in which he recorded four catches for 35 yards — Diggs stormed out of the locker room before some coaches had arrived and needed to be brought back.

As for Diggs’ reported discontent with his voice in Buffalo’s offensive play-calling, Volin simply said that the Maryland product may not have “connected as well” with OC Ken Dorsey as he had with Brian Daboll, who left the Bills to take the Giants’ HC job last year. Still, even if the Bills were inclined to part ways with their star receiver — which the Super Bowl-ready club is certainly not — it would be difficult to imagine Diggs finding a better situation for himself.

McDermott ultimately cancelled the third and final day of mandatory minicamp on Thursday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Therefore, we will likely need to wait until sometime in training camp to hear Diggs’ take on the situation and where he currently stands.

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/15/23

Today’s minor transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Rams

New York Giants

  • Signed: DT Kobe Smith
  • Waived/injured: WR/TE Dre Miller

Greg Mabin is the biggest name on the list, with the cornerback having appeared in 45 career games. The former UDFA has spent the past two seasons with the Titans, collecting 23 tackles in 11 total games. The Panthers have gotten an extended look at their cornerback depth during minicamp with Jaycee Horn (ankle) and Donte Jackson (Achilles) sidelined, so the team has probably decided they needed some veteran reinforcement at the position.

Javon Wims will now be looking for another opportunity after getting cut by the Cardinals. The former seventh-round pick showed a bit of a potential with the Bears, including a 2019 campaign where he had 18 catches for 186 yards and one touchdown. After getting into 13 games with the Bears in 2020, the wideout has only seen time in one game over the past two seasons. He spent most of the 2022 campaign on Arizona’s practice squad.

McDermott: Stefon Diggs Issue Resolved

After beginning their minicamp with Stefon Diggs drama stemming from unknown issues, the Bills look to be on better footing with their top wide receiver.

Diggs practiced during the team’s Wednesday minicamp session, though not during team drills, and Sean McDermott offered a more definitive tone regarding the situation after expressing concern Tuesday. McDermott said the Bills are in a good spot with Diggs and considers the matter resolved, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com tweets.

Diggs left the Bills’ Tuesday minicamp session after not participating, doing so after not attending the team’s voluntary OTAs. McDermott, however, said Diggs’ absence Tuesday qualifies as excused, per the Buffalo News’ Katherine Fitzgerald (on Twitter). Although McDermott described he and Diggs’ conversation Tuesday as “great,” the seventh-year Bills HC said the veteran wideout needed a break from said conversation and was dismissed.

Conversations between Diggs and GM Brandon Beane and wide receivers coach Adam Henry, a new hire, also took place, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com adds (video link). Regarding his concern about Diggs’ status Tuesday, McDermott attempted to clarify by indicating he was merely concerned by a missed practice.

There’s a lot things out there that aren’t accurate. Let me be clear — Stef did everything he was asked to do,” McDermott said, via SI.com’s Albert Breer (on Twitter). “He was here Monday, executed his physical on time. … We got to a point yesterday where we felt like we all needed a break and some space.”

Josh Allen classified the Diggs matter as non-football-related, and it presumably does not pertain to his contract, which was signed last year. Diggs, 29, signed a four-year, $96MM deal that included $47.99MM guaranteed. Rapoport confirmed Diggs’ contract is not the issue.

The Bills acquired Diggs in March 2020, doing so after the former Vikings draftee went through a turbulent 2019 season that involved a dustup with the team. The sides mended fences, and Diggs finished the ’19 season by helping the Vikes to the divisional round. But multiple tweets depicting dissatisfaction came out the following March. The Vikings dealt Diggs to the Bills for a package headlined by a first-round pick, and he has become one of the NFL’s best receivers while in Buffalo.

Allen calling Diggs an essential part of the Bills’ blueprint is accurate, given the explosive pass catcher’s production. Diggs led the NFL with 1,535 receiving yards in 2020 and topped 1,200 yards in 2021 and ’22. At the conclusion of the Bills’ divisional-round loss to the Bengals in January, however, Diggs stormed out of the locker room before some coaches had arrived and needed to be brought back. While McDermott expressing confidence the parties will move past this summer disagreement is noteworthy, Diggs’ views on the matter will be needed before this chapter concludes.