The Buffalo Bills have given wide receiver Cole Beasley permission to seek a trade this offseason, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Per the report, Bills general manager Brandon Beane did OK Beasley to look at his options as it was the player that wants to move… and there is said to be interest in Beasley.
However, it’s added that Beane would also welcome the wide receiver back:
From NFL Now on @nflnetwork: The #Bills have granted permission for WR Cole Beasley to seek a trade, though GM Brandon Beane told me late yesterday the team would welcome him back and “no door has been closed.” pic.twitter.com/NT3wjx6YZR
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 4, 2022
Beasley, 32, is signed through 2022.
Earlier this offseason some speculated the team could want to move on from him because cutting Beasley could save the Bills salary cap dollars. His cap hit stays around the same as it was this season ($7.5M), but his dead cap hit drops from $8.4M to $1.5M, per Spotrac.
Fueling that thought is the Bills currently being slightly over the 2022 salary cap. Buffalo has to find room somewhere.
At Beane’s end of season press conference, the GM stated “I would anticipate Cole being back” in terms of next season.
Last year Beasley had 82 catches for 693 with one touchdown.
The season prior he also had 82 grabs but the rest of his numbers were better: 967 yards and four touchdowns.
Considering Beasley’s cap hit, it’s unlikely Buffalo would get much in a trade for him. If he’s not dealt, one could likely assume Beasley would eventually be released by the Bills, likely ahead of free agency’s start on March 14.
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