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During a free agency period that has already seen some of the Bills FA’s sign with other clubs, Buffalo has signed a new deal with a central player to its offensive line.
Front and center, that is.
The team’s center Mitch Morse agreed to a short-term extension to remain with Buffalo, giving QB Josh Allen a consistent and reliable presence on offensive snaps.
Here is what Pro Football Focus had to say about Morse’s new deal:
C Mitch Morse: Two years, $19.5 million ($12 million guaranteed)
Morse agreed to a pay cut prior to the 2021 season to stay in Buffalo and went on to earn his lowest grade since 2017 at 63.4 overall. However, Morse has not graded below 60.0 as a run-blocker or pass-blocker in any season since 2017, and his high floor brings stability. Continuity along the interior may be especially important with the Bills deciding to release 2021 right guard Daryl Williams.
Grade: Average
Morse made his feelings clear when re-signing with Buffalo, even going as far as to state that he wants to retire in a Bills uniform.
As the team released 2021 starters Jon Feliciano and Daryl Williams to free up over $6 million in cap space, they also re-worked some deals for players currently under contract.
As Morse’s deal lowers his cap hit from $11.25 million in 2022 to $9 million and creates over $2 million in additional financial flexibility to add talent in free agency, the new pact makes sense for the Bills.
GM Brandon Bean has prioritized protecting Josh Allen and is in the midst of looking to improve the offensive line, and that Morse would be viewed as part of that solution for the next couple of years is also of note.
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