The Bills signed free agent Josh Norman on Monday and now on Tuesday they’ve decided to keep three of their own.
According to ESPN’s Field Yates, offensive lineman Spencer Long, wide receiver Robert Foster and cornerback Levi Wallace will be back in the fold for the 2020 season.
Long had a team option on his deal that the team has flexed. In 2020, his cap hit will be approximately $4 million. Whether or not the Bills would tap his option was a slight question.
The 29-year-old lineman signed a three-year, $12 million deal last offseason as part of the Bills’ efforts to revamp their offensive line. Long appeared in 14 games, but saw minimal playing time, making no starts. He did not qualify for Pro Football Focus’ seasonal rankings among offensive lineman, playing in only 174 snaps on offense, but in those the football analytics outlet graded him a 57.0 overall, a below average marking for their grading system. Long does offer versatility though, as he can play multiple positions on the O-line, including center.
In regard to the other Alabama duo in Foster and Wallace, it comes as little surprise they were retained. Those two were “exclusive-rights free agents.” That designation means there are two options for the player. A team can simply not re-sign them, or their club can offer a league minimum contract and the player has to accept, or sit out the entire season. There is no other offers from other teams allowed, so they’re nearly forced to accept.
Foster had a strong rookie season, grabbing 27 catches for 541 yards, nearly taking the team-lead from Zay Jones that season after only 13 games played, but then he took a step back in 2019. That was due to John Brown and Cole Beasley’s arrival, cutting into his playing time. He only had three catches last season, but still has potential. The Bills could be in the market to add further competition at the wideout position this offseason as well.
Wallace started all 16 games for the Bills last season, rotating with Kevin Johnson in that role. After the signing of Norman, the Bills will likely see Wallace and Norman now fight for that No. 2 role across from Tre’Davious White.
Overall, Wallace had 76 tackles, nine passes defended and two interceptions last season. PFF was also very high on Wallace, tabbing him the 44th best cornerback in the NFL last season.
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