Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens taking his talents to the Buffalo Bills is almost still something that’s hard to believe really happened.
The 2009 season for the Bills with Owens wasn’t good one. Then-starting quarterback Trent Edwards saw his career fizzle out early that year, which famously included his 185-game streak with at least a single catch in a game coming to an end.
Owens never really caused a scene off the field in Buffalo, something he was known for doing prior to joining the Bills, but clearly there were reasons to be frustrated. But apparently that’s nothing a little Fitz Magic can’t fix.
Owens reflected on his one season in Buffalo with The Athletic this week and like he has many times, praised the heck out of him former home for one season, but added to it. Owens admitted he wanted to stay another year with the Bills.
“Honestly, I wish I could have played another year or two (in Buffalo),” Owens said. “If you look at my stats, they weren’t particularly good in the beginning of the season, but once I got with Ryan Fitzpatrick it was like ‘Fitz Magic.'”
“I’ve spoken very highly of Ryan. People ask me who is your favorite quarterback and people think I’m saying it was a joke but I’m like, ‘Yo, Ryan is one of the better quarterbacks that I played with.’ I say that honestly because of how smart he is. Maybe it has something to do with that Harvard education,” Owens added.
With Fitzpatrick under center, Owens had four of his five touchdowns that season, plus a 197-yard outing. However, staying didn’t happen.
Owens played one more season with the Bengals in 2010 to finish his career. In the piece, former Bills general manager Buddy Nix admits he wasn’t on board to sign Owens in the first place. After the 2009 season, Nix was promoted to that GM position and decided the Bills were one and done in Buffalo. Nix said Owens “wasn’t happy about it” at the time. The Hall of Famer also said former head coach Chan Gailey, who was with the Cowboys, Owens’s former team as well, might have had something to do with it.
T.O.’s ties in Buffalo might’ve been brief, but they’re strong as he’s said on numerous occasions. He revealed the team might have him come back and “lead the charge” pre-game some time in the future. And in a classic Owens way, he still thinks he could help them now. Unfortunately, that’s an answer we’ll never find out.
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