The Buffalo Bills have lost another player the team drafted and developed over the years.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, free agent running back Devin Singletary has signed with the Houston Texans.
Singletary, 25, joined the Bills as a third-round pick of the team in 2019. His rookie contract had expired and Singletary hit the open market as a free agent for the first time last week.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds that Singletary signed a one-year, $3.75 million deal.
During his tenure in Buffalo, Singletary always played in a split role in the Bills backfield. He took the team by storm as his skills as a rookie were enough to make the front office feel like it could release former All-Pro back LeSean McCoy from the roster.
That first year featured longtime NFLer Frank Gore next to Singletary in Buffalo. Throughout the years that idea continued with the likes of Zack Moss and James Cook.
It’s one that’s set to continue for Singletary with the Texans, too. Houston’s backfield already features the likes of Dameon Pierce.
While Singletary did not always produce the highlight-reel plays, he was often consistent in the job he did do for the Bills.
At his worst, Singletary averaged 4.4 yards per carry each year in Buffalo. Not a bad number in the slightest. His best came as a rookie at 5.1 and the past two seasons Singletary averaged 4.6 yards per carry.
Even with general manager Brandon Beane stating last week that the Bills have interest in re-signing Singletary, it long seemed unlikely. Cook’s addition via a 2022 draft second-round pick was a clear sign the club did not see Singletary as a long-term solution.
But Singletary’s official departure still leaves a hole as it’s unlikely that Cook will move forward as the bellcow rusher for the Bills.
Beane also stated he expects to add a “heavier” running back into the fold, now it just remains to be seen what exact direction the GM decides to go in.
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