Attention has turned toward unrestricted free agency as the NFL’s “legal tampering period” has opened on Monday. One update tossed into the mix involves one of the Buffalo Bills’ restricted free agents.
Offensive lineman Ryan Bates will reportedly be tendered by the Bills.
He will be offered an original round tender of $2.4 million, according to WIVB-TV:
A source tells me the #Bills DO plan on low tendering RFA Ryan Bates ($2.433 million), just waiting on the team to make their official move. When it happens the #Bills can match any offer sheet Bates gets from another team. @news4buffalo
— Heather Prusak (@haprusak) March 14, 2022
As per the NFL’s RFA rules, Buffalo can match any contract sent Bates’ way. Those can start to arrive on Wednesday at 4 p.m. when the league’s “new year” officially begins.
Bates, 25, has been a key depth piece along Buffalo’s offense line for a few years since being acquired via trade with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019. That deal originally mostly had to do with his versatility to play every position on the offensive line, something the Bills still covet.
In 2021, Bates finally got his first dose of starting time.
In Week 15, he began starting at left guard for Buffalo. Even when former starter Jon Feliciano returned to full health, Bates still held onto the job into the playoffs.
The Bills did appear to be very impressed with Bates, as general manager Brandon Beane praised Bates at his end of season press conference. Specifically, Beane said Bates brought the best out of left tackle Dion Dawkins.
Pro Football Focus graded Bates out as the NFL’s 44th best guard overall last season when things were all said and done in 2021. That was higher than both Feliciano and Ike Boettger, who Bates replaced due to injury.
Also on Monday, Buffalo confirmed the signing of guard Rodger Saffold. The veteran Pro Bowler likely has the edge on Bates to start at left guard next season, however, Bates’ versatility might allow him to battle for playing time at right guard.
Along with Bates, defensive lineman Justin Zimmer is a restricted free agent.
It still remains to be seen if Bates does head back to Buffalo in 2022. The tender is a step toward that direction and Bills Wire will provide the latest updates as they become available.
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