10 things to know about new Bills DE Mario Addison

With the departures of Shaq Lawson and Jordan Phillips, Addison will be entrusted to come into Buffalo and make up for some of their sacks.

Panthers defensive end Mario Addison. Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Big man QB

While a pass-rushing force now, Addison actually played on the other side of the ball like many others in high school. Not only did he play running back, he was actually a quarterback, too. And he really, really didn’t want to switch from it.

“I threw the ball and I ran the ball, but I was mostly a runner. I’d drop back three yards, and if no one was wide open, I’d take off,” Addison told the Panthers website. “I didn’t take a lick if I didn’t have to. I was good on my feet. I was like 6-3, 6-4, weighed 185, 190 (as a junior). My senior year, I weighed 215, 220.”

“I wanted to play running back. I didn’t want to touch defense, period. I didn’t want to hit anybody,” he added.

Well… good thing he finally did.