Earlier this offseason the Bills hosted veteran tight end Greg Olsen on a free agent visit. He ended up signing with the Seattle Seahawks instead.
Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane gave some insight into why Olsen, who he is familiar with from their time together with the Carolina Panthers, didn’t sign on the dotted line with his team. Chatting with the team’s radio partner WGR-550 on Monday, Beane said things didn’t add up for both sides.
“It had to be a win-win, a fit for all of us and in the end it wasn’t,” Beane said.
Olsen, 35, is a 14-year veteran of the NFL, playing with the Panthers since 2011. Since taking over operations in Buffalo, Beane hasn’t been shy about bringing in veteran talent. Running back Frank Gore last offseason is an example of that.
What Beane could be referencing in his response is the price tag. Olsen eventually latched on with the Seahawks via a one-year deal worth $7 million with $5.5 million guaranteed money.
Olsen also told the Seahawks website that Russell Wilson also made a difference in his decision.
“It was just too good of an opportunity to pass up,” Olsen said. “Their track record of success, consistency of winning. I’ve played in this city many times, and just the fanbase, the excitement, that stadium is one of the more unique venues in all of sports. And obviously Coach (Pete) Carroll, playing with somebody like Russell (Wilson), it just checks so many boxes I was looking for.”
But with Olsen’s potential addition, does that mean the Bills aren’t settled with their tight end position? Beane said that’s not the case. Rather, he was just doing his due diligence.
“It doesn’t mean that we wouldn’t look at… if there’s a guy out there that we should investigate, we can bring him in, and that’s at every position, not just tight end,” Beane said. “At the end of the day, we’re very comfortable (at tight end).”
Dawson Knox is currently the Bills’ No. 1 tight end. Behind him is a bit of a mix of players that could be the No. 2. From the sounds of it, Beane is hopeful that Tyler Kroft, who restructured his contract this offseason, emerges about the rest of the pack if he’s able to stay healthy.
“(Kroft) will hopefully be able to get back to the player that he was a couple years ago and then Lee Smith bring a veteran presence. Tommy Sweeney, when he had an opportunity, he did make some plays for us. Again, I felt comfortable with where we’re at,” Beane said.
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