Go back to a year ago at this time. Who would have thought Ryan Bates would cause these types of reactions?
That’s the reality of the situation we’re in now.
The Buffalo Bills tendered Bates, previously a restricted free agent. After the offensive lineman took some visits to teams as a free agent, the Chicago Bears signed him to and offer sheet, one which Buffalo went on to match.
Translation, he’s back with the Bills.
But the 25-year-old is getting quite the emotions from both sides of the spectrum. The better place to start is in Chicago.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles was asked about not landing Bates. He had a short but a clear response.
“It stinks,” Poles said per Bears Wire.
Chicago is investing in their offensive line this offseason in an effort to protect their young quarterback in Justin Fields. Bates will not be part of that solution.
He likely caught their attention once he entered the Bills’ starting lineup last season. Bates jumped into the fold once Ike Boettger, who also re-signed with Buffalo, went down with an injury.
Bates played so well that once opening day starter Jon Feliciano was healthy, he stayed on the bench.
Those actions speak loudly regarding the way the Bills feel about Bates. Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott confirmed those feelings with their actual words as well.
“Ryan is a really good player and a really good person. He’s meant a lot to our football team, whether he was in a backup role or a starting role–He’s been a valuable piece to our team,” McDermott said at the NFL owner’s meetings.
Beane, in little surprise, used the finances to describe how important getting Bates back was to him as GM.
“Bates, we’ve kind of pondered that, worked through it, obviously kind of tight on the cap,” Beane said. “But we are going to bring Ryan back.”
Beane went on to add that Bates will get a chance to compete for starting time in 2022.
He appears to be the favorite on paper.
Despite Rodger Saffold being signed this offseason, both Saffold and Bates have versatility. They can play on both sides of the offensive line, and good news, there are two starting guard sports up for grabs between Bates, Saffold… and don’t forget Boettger as well.
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