It’s not over till it’s over.
That’s what one could say about now retired Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander.
At the end of the 2019 season, Alexander, 37, hung em’ up, retiring from the NFL. Not only that, he was pretty definitive with his decision following the Bills’ playoff loss to the Texans.
“I’m done,” Alexander said. “I made the decision a while ago, and so I’m at peace with it. It’s more about choosing my family than not choosing football. … It’s been a great ride. I have no regrets. I’ve loved every minute of it.”
“I’m 100 percent sure,” he added.
But now for the second time this offseason… is Zo throwing some hints out there?
While technically no longer playing, perhaps only for now, Alexander is still involved in the NFL. He’s on the NFLPA executive committee as a vice president. Because of that role, he joined the Pat McAfee Show on Thursday and touched on a number of league topics.
When the discussion was rounding up, Alexander said he thinks the Bills are the favorite in the AFC East heading into the 2020 season, even with Cam Newton’s signing with the Patriots and added if he can help, he will.
“I’m ready, I’m working,” Alexander said. “You never known, you never know. They make that run, call me up Brandon (Beane), you know I’ll be ready for you.”
This is the second time in recent weeks that Alexander has discussed potentially hitting the field once again for the Bills. In May, Alexander left his first very small opening for returning.
“All I was saying to (Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott)…if y’all get in a dire need… injuries, which you never know, I’m staying ready, just in case,” Alexander said. “But it’s only for the playoffs. I’m picking my shot? It’s only for the playoffs. That’s probably all I can handle right now.”
But since making the comment, the NFL has certainly changed. Hell, the entire world has, which requires us to explain the context of the question on the Pat McAfee Show.
As a NFLPA VP, Alexander has been a vocal person in the football community in regard to discussing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. There’s many unanswered questions in regard to the NFL season getting underway. One of the concerning things for players is what happens if the flu strikes a locker room and several players are sidelined due to illness?
That’s the exact context that Alexander was talking about a potential return. Alexander was asked if he would return if a few Bills linebackers went down due to COVID-19. That’s worth mentioning because currently that’s a real possibility and cause for concern. What if that does actually happen?
We’ll never wish for it, but it appears if that is the case, Alexander might be a guy that’s sort of an extra practice squad member for the Bills defense who might just pop out of retirement in a “dire need” scenario, as Alexander previously said.
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