ESPN laid out a set of trickle-down effect signings for the upcoming free agency period in the NFL. There, the Bears find a way to land Bills lineman Quinton Spain thanks to… the Patriots.
In the predictions, Trent Williams lands with the Patriots in the biggest offensive lineman signing of the open market period. From there, the Bears, another potential suitor for Williams, opt for Spain. Even though Spain is not a tackle, the Bears can stand to upgrade across their whole line, so Spain still makes sense.
Here’s how the potential move is explained:
In need of help at guard after Kyle Long retired and missing several picks in April’s draft, the Bears could look again toward free agency to build support around Mitchell Trubisky. The 28-year-old Spain impressed as a run-blocker for the Bills this past season and has likely done enough to earn a multiyear deal.
In the projected deal, the Bears sign Spain for three years, $21 million total. That’s an average of $7 million a season and would put Spain among the Bills’ too-10 cap hits.
Many praise Spain’s season in Buffalo after he signed a one-year deal in the offseason with the team, however, Pro Football Focus doesn’t exactly hold him in high regard. Overall, Spain graded as the outlet’s 60th best guard in the NFL this past season.
With more than $80 million in cap space free, the Bills can certainly afford Spain. But with nine total draft picks and again, that cap space, Buffalo needs to decide if they’ll go with Spain or a cheaper route. He did previous say at the end of the season that he is open to returning to the Bills.
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