Buffalo Bills News & Rumors

Bills To Re-Sign DE Shaq Lawson

April 10th, 2023 at 12:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

Shaq Lawson‘s second stint with the Bills has earned him an extended stay in Buffalo. The veteran defensive end is re-signing on a one-year deal, reports Mike Garafolo of NFL Network (Twitter link).

Lawson, 28, began his career with the Bills, spending four productive if uninspiring seasons with the team. He notched a career-high 6.5 sacks in the final year of his rookie contract, which helped earn him a three-year, $30MM deal with the Dolphins in 2020. That pact could have provided the opportunity for continued career ascension, but that didn’t turn out to be the case.

The former first-rounder spent only one season in Miami, and was dealt to the Texans. Before having played in Houston, however, Lawson was traded back into the AFC East and joined the Jets in 2021. While logging a significant workload, he managed only a single sack in New York, leading to his release before season’s end. That move left his future uncertain, but a return to his original home proved to be an effective move.

Lawson inked a one-year contract last March to head back to Buffalo, where he spent much of the season in a rotational role. After the season-ending injury suffered by Von Miller, however, Lawson stepped took on a larger workload. He ended up starting six regular season games, along with both of the Bills’ playoff contests. He managed 31 tackles and 3.5 sacks, numbers which have allowed him to retain his spot as a valued member of the team’s edge rush group.

While Miller continues to recover at the start of the 2023 campaign, Buffalo will look to recent draftees Gregory Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa and Carlos Basham for much of their pass rushing production. Lawson will look to continue in the role he had to finish out last season, while providing depth at the position for a unit which will be without defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier this year. Another season with decent production could earn him yet another Bills pact, or boost his stock for a move elsewhere.

Darnell Wright Visits Saints, Bears, Packers, Bills; Several More Planned

April 9th, 2023 at 9:58pm CST by Ely Allen

One of the fastest risers in the 2023 NFL Draft, Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright is currently such an enigma that even NFL teams don’t seem to have an idea on when his name will be called. Normally, a tackle prospect who takes Top 30 visits is targeted by teams in similar areas of the draft who believe he will be available when they have their opportunity to select. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, nearly 20 teams believe Wright will be there when they are on the clock.

We already reported that Wright was starting to climb boards back in February, noting that, after attending the Senior Bowl, the 21-year-old was not expected to slip past the first round of the draft. While many first-round linemen from Power 5 schools tend to find their way to the NFL as underclassmen, Wright is a rarity after playing four years with the Volunteers. The decision appears to have been the correct one as Wright was rewarded with a first-team All-SEC selection following his best year of collegiate play. Wright was a Lombardi award semifinalist after allowing zero sacks as a senior in one of the nation’s top offenses of 2022.

Wright began his reportedly lengthy tour with visits to New Orleans, Chicago, Green Bay, and Buffalo, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Following his visits with the Saints, Bears, Packers, and Bills, Wright is expected to visit the Buccaneers, Cowboys, Cardinals, Commanders, and Lions in the coming weeks leading up to the draft. That’s only nine teams. At least that many more are expected to spend time with Wright before the end of the month.

There’s a reason so many teams are under the assumption he’ll be available. He entered the Senior Bowl with many thinking he had plenty still to prove. Two months later and some consider him to be the top tackle prospect in this year’s draft. So far, he’s covered the full gamut from not a first rounder to top tackle on the board. Some teams may just be kicking the tires themselves to see what all the fuss is about, doing their own research, but teams in the later part of the first round shouldn’t entertain the thought of drafting Wright too much more if he continues to fly up draft boards.

Contract Notes: Jaguars, Singletary, Packers

April 8th, 2023 at 10:05am CST by Ben Levine

The Jaguars reworked safety Rayshawn Jenkins‘ contract earlier this week, creating a chunk of cap space. Per Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com, the team converted more than $6.4MM of Jenkins’ salary into a signing bonus and added three void years to the contract. As a result, the team dropped the defensive back’s cap number from $10.5MM to $5.3MM, thus opening more than $5MM in cap space.

Jenkins’ 2024 cap number will rise by more than $1MM. In the event the Jaguars eventually move on from the player, they’ll be left with a dead cap hit of $5.1MM in 2024 or $3.85MM in 2025.

We’ve collected more contract notes below:

Calais Campbell‘s one-year, $7MM deal with the Falcons includes a $4MM guaranteed salary and a $3MM signing bonus, per Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter). He can earn another $2MM via incentives, including marks for sacks and playing time. According to ESPN’s Michael Rothstein (on Twitter), $500K of Campbell’s incentives are likely to be earned.
Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins inked a one-year, $1.16MM deal with the Cowboys that also includes an $152K signing bonus, per Wilson (on Twitter). After starting 116 of his 117 appearances between 2014 and 2021, Hankins only started four of his 10 appearances for the Raiders and Cowboys last season.
Running back Devin Singletary‘s new deal with the Texans includes up to $1MM in incentives, per Wilson (on Twitter). Half of those bonuses come via playing time incentives, and he can earn another $500K for certain statistical milestones above 1,000 yards from scrimmage.
Dallin Leavitt’s one-year contract with the Packers is worth $1.4MM, including a $1.08MM base salary, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky (on Twitter). He can earn up to $170K in roster bonuses, all via $10K per-game roster incentives. Demovsky also passes along that Justin Hollins got an $155K signing bonus and $45K workout bonuses from the Packers, while Eric Wilson got an $152K signing bonus.
Defensive lineman Carlos Watkins got a one-year, $1.67MM deal from the Cardinals, according to Howard Balzer (on Twitter). This includes a $250K signing bonus, an $1.08MM signing bonus, and up to $340K in per-game roster bonuses. That all results in an $1.57MM cap hit.
Jordan Phillips‘ contract with the Bills is for one year worth $3MM, per Ryan O’Halloran of The Buffalo News (on Twitter). He’ll earn $1.22MM in guaranteed money, and he can earn up to $4.6MM thanks to incentives.

AFC East Notes: Jets, Allen, Dolphins

April 5th, 2023 at 1:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Jets have been most closely linked to Odell Beckham Jr. this offseason, but like Aaron Rodgers, the talented wide receiver is not yet with the team. Beckham may well be waiting on the Rodgers trade to be finalized, though other teams — including the Ravens — have made offers. The Jets are interested at the right price, per the New York Post’s Brian Costello, who adds an OBJ signing likely means a Corey Davis release.

With the Jets adding Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman to the mix and continuing to pursue Beckham, Davis has hovered around the chopping block for weeks. The Jets can save $10.5MM by releasing the former top-five pick even if they do not designate him as a post-June 1 cut. If Beckham signs elsewhere, it would be interesting to see how the Jets navigate the Davis matter. The team has traded Elijah Moore, removing a potentially promising weapon from its receiver stable, and Hardman displayed inconsistency during his rookie-deal Chiefs years. Davis, however, has not topped 550 yards in a season as a Jet. His three-year, $37.5MM deal calls for an $11.6MM 2023 cap number.

Here is the latest from the AFC East:

Georgia tackle Broderick Jones is visiting the Jets on Wednesday, and this high-profile position seems like a logical move for Gang Green at No. 13 overall. Now that it seems that pick is off the table in Rodgers negotiations, the Jets can devote it to a need area to complement their apparent QB-in-waiting. But the team discussed a deal with Orlando Brown Jr., Costello adds. The Steelers joined the Jets in being connected to Brown during his time on the market, but the Bengals came in with a frontloaded deal (four years, $64MM; $42.4MM due by 2024) to land the former Ravens and Chiefs Pro Bowler. The Jets have major questions at both tackle spots, with Duane Brown going into an age-38 season and Mekhi Becton having played one game in two years. Multiyear starter George Fant remains a free agent.
Josh Allen handled a career-high 124 rushing attempts last season, and the superstar Bills quarterback logged 122 in 2021. The 237-pound QB has operated as Buffalo’s go-to rushing option, but Sean McDermott would like to see his centerpiece player adjust his style of play. That likely means limiting the hits he takes as a runner, as NFL.com’s Judy Battista noted the five-year veteran has been tackled on 66% of his downfield runs (Twitter links). In an effort to prioritize Allen’s health and extend his career, it would be in the Bills’ best interest to curtail his run-game aggressiveness. Allen has, however, topped 700 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons; only he, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts have done that over the past two seasons. It will be interesting to see how the Bills go about creating a delicate balance here.
The Dolphins recently extended Durham Smythe through 2025, but Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes the team will be expected to draft at least one tight end. Per an agent representing one of this year’s top free agent tight ends, the Dolphins did not want to spend much on the position. Seeing as Mike Gesicki saw his role significantly reduced in Mike McDaniel‘s first year as HC, that makes sense. But after losing Gesicki and Hunter Long (included in the Jalen Ramsey trade), Miami will need to make at least one addition here.

Bills Sign S Taylor Rapp

April 3rd, 2023 at 9:39am CST by Adam La Rose

APRIL 3: The former Rams safety agreed to a low-cost Bills deal. Rapp signed a one-year, $1.77MM contract, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. This low figure will not lead to Rapp’s contract counting against the compensatory formula. Rapp will have a chance to bolster his value ahead of a potential second run at free agency in 2024.

MARCH 27: Taylor Rapp recently visited the Patriots, but he will be heading elsewhere in the AFC East. The safety is signing a one-year deal with the Bills, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link).

Rapp will bring significant experience to Buffalo after his four-year stint with the Rams to begin his career. The 25-year-old logged 48 starts during his time in Los Angeles, including every game he was available for over the past two campaigns. That will allow him to carve out a role for himself on the Bills’ backend.

A former second-round pick, Rapp made 100 tackles in his rookie season, adding a pair of interceptions. He was limited to nine games the following year, but was able to remain healthy for the following two campaigns. Overall, he has racked up 330 stops, nine interceptions and 23 pass breakups while operating as a mainstay for the Rams’ defense, a unit which has moved on from several 2022 contributors.

Many of the defenders Los Angles has either released or allowed to sign elsewhere in free agency (such as Bobby Wagner and Leonard Floyd) were older veterans, but Rapp’s age led to interest from a number of suitors. That included the Patriots, who hosted the Washington alum earlier this month as one of several free agents they met with, as well as the Bengals, who have lost both Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell.

Instead, Rapp will look to put together another productive year (particularly in run defense, compared to coverage in the passing game) in Buffalo. The Bills will see Micah Hyde return to health in 2023, and they were able re-sign fellow safety starter Jordan Poyer earlier in the offseason. That will give the team options at the position with Rapp now also in the fold as a starting-caliber piece.

Much of the Bills’ safety situation moving forward will also depend on the future of Damar Hamlin. With his recovery still headed in a positive direction, it remains Hamlin’s intention to resume his playing career whenever possible. Assuming he is able to return to the field, Hamlin will give the team plenty of depth behind Hyde, Poyer and Rapp. The latter will aim for a strong campaign in the hopes of boosting his value ahead of next offseason.

Bills To Re-Sign DT Jordan Phillips

March 29th, 2023 at 1:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

After returning to Buffalo last year, Jordan Phillips will be sticking around. The veteran defensive tackle agreed to a new deal with the Bills on Wednesday, Ari Meirov of The33rdTeam.com tweets.

Phillips agreed to a new one-year Bills contract worth $3MM, and ESPN.com’s Alaina Getzenberg adding the deal can max out at $4.6MM (Twitter link). Although this Bills regime is quite familiar with Phillips, the free agent defensive tackle visited earlier this week.

This represents a slight pay cut for Phillips, who came back to Buffalo — after an underwhelming Arizona stay — on a one-year, $5MM pact. The Cardinals released Phillips in March 2022, and he agreed to terms with the Bills days later. The former second-round pick waited in free agency a bit longer this year, but he now has a contract that positions him for a ninth NFL season.

Phillips, 30, enjoyed a strong contract year in Buffalo in 2019, but the Bills used him as a rotational player off the bench during his second stay with the team. Phillips still played often, logging a 49% snap rate. Phillips’ 9.5-sack 2019 looks like an outlier still; he tallied 1.5 last season and has not eclipsed three in any other year. Pro Football Focus did not view Phillips’ Bills comeback as especially effective, slotting him just inside the top 100 among interior D-linemen last season.

But this accord sets up Phillips, whom the Bills claimed off waivers from the Dolphins back in 2018, for a fourth season in Buffalo. He will rejoin Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones and Tim Settle on the Bills’ interior D-line. The Bills also brought former first-round defensive end Shaq Lawson back in 2022, but he remains a free agent.

Sean McDermott To Call Bills’ Defensive Plays

March 27th, 2023 at 9:58pm CST by Ely Allen

After the announced departure of defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, the Bills were in need of a plan for who would be calling plays on defense. General manager Brandon Beane confirmed that the team wouldn’t search externally for a replacement, leaving the responsibility of determining the role to head coach Sean McDermott. Well, according to Mike Giardi of NFL Network, McDermott will be shouldering the role himself.

Two other coaches on staff were considered to be top candidates for the play-calling responsibilities. Senior defensive assistant Al Holcomb recently joined the Bills’ staff after serving as interim defensive coordinator for the Panthers last season. Defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator John Butler was also thought to be worthy of consideration. Butler is extremely well-regarded as a defensive coach and had served as defensive coordinator during his time at Penn State.

Ultimately, Buffalo will turn to its skipper to take on the added responsibility. McDermott is obviously one of the more respected minds in football after helping to turn the Bills into a genuine contender. He also earned his position as head coach after stints as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator (2009-10) and the Panthers’ defensive coordinator (2011-16). McDermott had two strong seasons with the Panthers, fielding the second-best defense in yards and points allowed in 2013 and the sixth-best defense in yards and points allowed in 2015, when Carolina went the Super Bowl.

The Bills will certainly miss Frazier, who led a Bills defense that has allowed the fewest yards in each of the past two seasons while allowing the fewest points in 2021 and the second-fewest points in 2022. But Buffalo has a capable leader who will step up and attempt to keep the Bills defense at the top of the league.

Bills To Add RB Damien Harris

March 27th, 2023 at 4:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

MARCH 27: Buffalo has managed to add Harris at just $1.7MM, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 tweets. Harris will receive $1MM fully guaranteed, per OverTheCap. This deal checks in at slightly less than what Singletary received from the Texans and further illustrates the grim market that awaited most of this year’s running backs.

MARCH 20: Brandon Beane said another running back would be on the Bills’ radar. Shortly after starter Devin Singletary joined the Texans, the Bills are making their addition.

Former Patriots starter Damien Harris will sign a one-year deal with the Bills, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The former third-round pick played out his New England rookie contract in 2022.

Although Harris did not hit free agency with much momentum, the Bills observed his better work up close in 2021. Harris totaled 15 rushing touchdowns during his third season, when he rushed for 929 yards at 4.6 a clip. The Alabama product will join James Cook and Nyheim Hines in Buffalo’s backfield, which has gone through some changes since the team rolled out a Singletary-Zack Moss duo for two-plus seasons.

Beane said a bigger back to complement Cook would be the likely move, and while Harris (213 pounds) should not be confused size-wise with Derrick Henry, the Patriots used him as a between-the-tackles runner during his two seasons as their primary starter (2020-21). Harris finished with five 100-yard rushing games during his 15-start 2021 season. The most memorable one probably came in Buffalo, when Bill Belichick pulled passes out of his game plan on a windy night. Harris amassed 111 rushing yards on just 10 carries during the Pats’ upset win in Buffalo, and he topped the century mark against the Bills two weeks later — in a loss in Foxborough — as well.

Last season, Harris dealt with hamstring and thigh injuries that cost him six games. He did not play the same role as he had in 2021, however, as Rhamondre Stevenson began to take over as New England’s primary back. The Pats still have Stevenson on his rookie contract through 2024, and they added ex-Jaguars 1,000-yard rusher James Robinson last week. The Robinson addition pointed Harris out of town, and he should have an opportunity to be a regular part of Buffalo’s offense in 2023.

The Bills used Singletary as their primary back for most of his four-year stay. Cook showed flashes late last season and will likely play a bigger part in Buffalo’s run game next season, but Harris should be expected to be part of the equation.

NFL Workout Notes: Giants, Campbell, Edwards, Neal, Carter, Fluker

March 25th, 2023 at 3:44pm CST by Ely Allen

As the initial surge of free agency has died down a bit, there are still several assets available on the market. The Giants have been fairly active in free agency and have had quite a few free agents visit for evaluations.

After allowing starting center Jon Feliciano to depart for San Francisco in free agency, the team decided to kick the tires on center J.C. Hassenauer, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. The former Steeler has some starting experience and would add some depth and competition behind Ben Bredeson.

The team also decided to check out a potential depth piece for the secondary in former Vikings cornerback Kris Boyd, according to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News in Minnesota. Boyd was able to provide some defensive depth as a seventh-round draft pick out of Texas for the Vikings, but his true value in Minnesota came on special teams, an added benefit that should help him find a roster spot moving forward.

If you thought the Giants had enough receivers, they clearly don’t agree as they reportedly hosted former Raiders and Falcons wideout Bryan Edwards, according to Jordan Schultz of theScore. Edwards barely played last year after getting traded to Atlanta and signing to the Chiefs’ practice squad, but he gets a chance to compete for serious snaps in New York. The Giants have a bevy of wide receivers but lack any sure-handed starters. The team returns Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, Wan’Dale Robinson, Sterling Shepard, David Sills, and Collin Johson but has added Parris Campbell, Jamison Crowder, and Jeff Smith in free agency. It looks like a collection of strong No. 3 and 4 receivers that lacks the talent of a strong No. 1 or 2. This provides Edwards a window to perform well and earn playing time.

Lastly, according to ESPN’s Field Yates, the team hosted linebacker Justin Hollins, who started five games for the Rams last year. Hollins would be another potential depth piece for the Giants’ defense.

Here are a few other workout rumors from around the league:

After getting released by the Ravens for cap purposes, the former “Mayor of Sacksonville” could be poised for a return to the Jaguars. According to Demetrius Harvey of the Florida Times-Union, defensive lineman Calais Campbell visited his former team this past week. After an earlier visit with the Falcons, the veteran also has future visits planned with the Bills and Jets, according to Tiffany Blackmon of 92.9 The Game.
The Seahawks may be looking to replace some defensive line depth after losing defensive end L.J. Collier to free agency. Seattle hosted veteran defensive end Mario Edwards earlier this week, according to Yates. Edwards is looking to join potentially his sixth franchise since entering the league. He started seven games for the Titans last year.
After losing safety Marcus Epps to free agency, the Eagles continue to look at safety options. Philadelphia hosted safety Keanu Neal earlier this week, according to Yates. Unfortunately for Neal, the team signed former Steelers first-round pick Terrell Edmunds yesterday, adding him to the addition of Justin Evans. Neal has experience playing linebacker, though, which may afford him an additional chance to make a roster as free agency continues.
While the wide receiver waters have been fairly stagnant, former Chargers wideout DeAndre Carter‘s market is starting to heat up. After a career year, the 29-year-old visited the Raiders yesterday, according to Schultz. The Raiders have added Jakobi Meyers, Phillip Dorsett, and Steven Sims after losing Mack Hollins. Carter would likely be competing for WR3 snaps behind Davante Adams and Meyers.
Offensive lineman D.J. Fluker, who last appeared in an NFL game in 2020 with the Ravens, is seeking a return to the NFL. Fluker spent 2021 on three different teams’ practice squads, but after getting released from the Jaguars’ on New Year’s Eve 2021, he has remained a free agent for over a year. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Fluker worked out at Alabama’s pro day this year with top prospects Bryce Young and Will Anderson. The workout drew some attention from NFL teams and could help Fluker make it back to the league.

Bills Interested In DeAndre Hopkins

March 23rd, 2023 at 10:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

Entering free agency with rumored receiver interest, the Bills have added two depth pieces (Deonte Harty, Trent Sherfield) to their pass-catching equation. They appear to be considering a much bigger swing.

The Bills are interested in trading for DeAndre Hopkins, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports (on Twitter). Buffalo joins Kansas City as teams believed to be in on the Arizona wideout, but Wilson adds Baltimore is not part of this pursuit. Hopkins appears to have heard Bills rumors as well (audio link). Extensive Hopkins interest exists, but his contract is an obvious impediment.

The Cardinals are believed to want a second-round pick and an additional asset for the 11th-year veteran, but Albert Breer of SI.com hears that type of return is not expected to be in the cards. No contract adjustment has occurred, though it should be expected. Hopkins is open to that. As of now, however, Hopkins is tied to a $19.45MM base salary ahead of his age-31 season. While Breer adds Hopkins should fetch the Cardinals more than the Texans obtained in their Brandin Cooks pick-swap deal with the Cowboys — one that sent a 2023 fifth-round pick and a 2024 sixth to Houston — he expects the return to be closer to the Cooks price than what the Cardinals are seeking.

Connected in trade rumors since before the 2022 deadline, Hopkins now no longer has a no-trade clause. Due to language in the former All-Pro’s contract, his 2022 PED suspension voided it. The Bills would seemingly appeal to veteran wide receivers, given the presences of Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs. Hopkins and Diggs were traded on the same day in March 2020. Hopkins has not been viewed as a No. 2 wideout since his early days with Andre Johnson in Houston; he would certainly be classified as such in Buffalo.

It would undoubtedly take a contract adjustment for Hopkins to land on the Bills’ cap sheet. Diggs is tied to a $24MM-per-year deal. Only the Chargers have two receivers earning at least $20MM per year, and each is tied to $20MM-AAV deals. Buffalo’s No. 1 target is tied to a long-term extension; Hopkins’ 2020 Cardinals re-up runs through 2024. His $27MM-per-year contract calls for $19.4 and $14.9MM base salaries over the next two years. The Bills have more than $9MM in cap space, though the team did add guard David Edwards earlier today.

Buffalo rosters Gabe Davis as well, but the former fourth-round pick is going into a contract year. Davis and the since-released Isaiah McKenzie battled inconsistency last season. Hopkins’ PED suspension and his injuries over the past two years have injected unreliability into his career path, one that previously had the contested-catch maven entrenched as one of the NFL’s steadiest stars. Hopkins ripped off three straight first-team All-Pro seasons (2017-19) and topped 1,000 receiving yards six times in seven years. He has not surpassed 800 in a season since 2020; the ban and injury trouble limited him to nine games in 2022.

The Ravens are not in too much worse cap shape than the Bills are, sitting at just more than $7MM. But they also must factor in the chance of needing to match a monster Lamar Jackson offer sheet, which could feature the second-most fully guaranteed money in NFL history. Baltimore does need receiving help far more than Buffalo or Kansas City do, seeing Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay each go down with injuries.

Kansas City has been connected to both Hopkins and Odell Beckham Jr. The Bills hosted Beckham on a visit in December but have not been linked to him this offseason. The Chiefs have lost JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman in free agency, seeing each head to the AFC East (Patriots, Jets). The Bills hold one draft choice in each of the first five rounds and carry two in the fifth. They obtained a fifth from the Cardinals in last summer’s Cody Ford swap and sent their own to the Colts for Nyheim Hines. The Chiefs are in slightly better shape, holding an extra fourth-round pick due to their Tyreek Hill trade.

While Diggs and Davis’ presences would make Hopkins a bit of a luxury item for the Bills, they have seen the Chiefs impede their Super Bowl pursuits. Hopkins as an additional weapon would add more intrigue to this rivalry. The Bengals have now leapfrogged the Bills in the AFC hierarchy as well, and the AFC East figures to be stronger in 2023 thanks to Jalen Ramsey and, most likely, Aaron Rodgers entering the mix. As the competition intensifies, the Bills are seeing what it will take to add a proven pass catcher.

Load More Posts