Tag: mitch morse

Mitch Morse pens heartfelt goodbye message to Buffalo Bills

Goodbye from Mitch:

Mitch Morse is no longer a member of the Buffalo Bills. Last week, he was released by the team as a salary cap casualty.

Since his departure, Morse has found a new home with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He inked a two-year deal there.

Before leaving heading and off to Jacksonville, Morse made sure to say a proper goodbye to Buffalo.

Morse posted on both Twitter (now X) and Instagram. On the latter account, the 31-year-old went deep.

“Nothing will compare to the sadness no longer being part of that locker room,” he wrote.

Morse’s messages after being released can be found below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4NuDj8AQr9/?hl=en

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Mitch Morse signs with Jaguars after being released by Bills

Mitch Morse signs with #Jaguars after being released by #Bills:

Mitch Morse has found a new home.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Jacksonville Jaguars have signed the 31-year-old to a two-year deal. Per reports, ir is worth $10.5 million with $7M guaranteed.

Morse turns 32 next month and was released by the Buffalo Bills last week. With a difficult salary cap situation, Morse ended up being a cap causality.

In addition to taking a free-agent visit in Jacksonville, Morse did the same with the Pittsburgh Steelers before signing.

Because Morse had already been let go in Buffalo, he was already allowed to sign with the Jaguars. He did not have to wait until Wednesday when the NFL’s new league year starts.

Overall last season, Pro Football Focus graded the Bills offensive line as the sixth-best in the NFL. However, Morse’s grade from PFF was an average 64.1.

Without Morse, reports indicate that Connor McGovern will end up as Buffalo’s replacement for Morse at center. That opens up the left guard position, which David Edwards appears to be on the fast track to take after signing an extension with the Bills.

Follow Bills Wire’s free agency tracker for all updates throughout the coming days.

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Jaguars signing C Mitch Morse to 2-year, $10.5 million contract

Two days before free agency starts, the Jaguars got to work ahead of time and added a new center.

The Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to a two-year, $10.5 million deal with former Buffalo Bills center Mitch Morse that includes $7 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Morse, who turns 32 next month, began his career with the Kansas City Chiefs where Jaguars coach Doug Pederson was the team’s offensive coordinator. After four seasons in Kansas City, Morse joined the Bills in 2019 and played the next five years in Buffalo.

After the Bills released Morse as part of a series of moves made by the team to clear cap space, he first visited the Pittsburgh Steelers before traveling to visit the Jaguars.

In Jacksonville, he’ll likely be the team’s new starting center, replacing Luke Fortner in the role. A 2022 third-round pick, Fortner struggled in his second season and received a 44.3 grade from PFF, second worst in the NFL at the position ahead of only Giants rookie center John Michael Schmitz.

Earlier this month, the Jaguars re-signed guard Ezra Cleveland and restructured the contract of guard Brandon Scherff. With left tackle Cam Robinson also expected to return and 2023 first-rounder Anton Harrison at right tackle, Jacksonville appears to have its 2024 starting offensive line already put together.

As a player who was released rather than reaching free agency on an expired contract, Morse won’t count against the Jaguars’ compensatory draft pick formula in 2025.

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The sky is not falling on the Buffalo Bills

The sky is not falling on the Buffalo Bills (via @JBaileyNFL):

Alright, everyone take a deep breath and listen up.

It was a bleak day at One Bills Drive in Buffalo. Several long-term stars, including center Mitch Morse, cornerback Tre’Davious White, and safety Jordan Poyer were all released as Buffalo continues to gear toward getting back under the cap. However, the reactions that followed made it seem as if the sky was falling on the Bills.

Talks of “well, it looks like the Bills’ Super Bowl window has closed” or “Buffalo is officially rebuilding” started making the rounds on the app formerly known as Twitter.

Mind you, this all stems from Buffalo releasing a 33 year-old safety, a 32 year old center (whom they may actually try to bring back on a cheaper deal) and a 29 year old cornerback who has missed 24 of the team’s last 34 regular season games. That is what has everyone sticking a fork in the Buffalo Bills? That is what their window is hinged upon? Folks, if you have Josh Allen, your window is never closed. You’re never rebuilding, you’re reloading.

Now, in terms of a fan perspective, the sentimental wound is very real, and I can respect that. Poyer and White helped end the playoff drought in 2017, and Morse has been a focal point of the team’s offensive line since 2019. These are guys that have built relationships with the fans and the community, so of course it hurts seeing them go if you are a Bills fan. However, in terms of the on-field impact, the Bills are more than capable to retooling.

And if there is one group that Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott consistently knock out of the park, it’s defensive backs. Poyer and Micah Hyde are prime examples of that, They took two cast-offs and made them the best safety duo in football for half a decade. They turned seventh-round pick Dane Jackson into a reliable rotational cornerback. They got the absolute most out of Rasul Douglas after acquiring him ahead of the trade deadline.

On top of that, according to Spotrac, if the Bills do a full base salary and roster bonus conversion to signing bonus to Josh Allen’s deal, they can free up $22.7 million in cap space, which would make them cap compliant.

The day was filled with hard goodbyes for fans, but the Buffalo Bills are fine. They’ll need to address the secondary in free agency and the draft, as well as wide receiver, but this is far from Armageddon.

Article via NFL Wire’s Jarrett Bailey.

Former Bills C Mitch Morse reportedly visiting Jaguars

Free agent center Mitch Morse visited the Steelers and is reportedly headed to Jacksonville next.

Free agent center Mitch Morse is set to visit the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Morse, who turns 32 in April, was released by the Buffalo Bills earlier this week as part of a series of roster moves by the team to clear salary cap space. He spent five seasons with the Bills after beginning his career with a four-year stint with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Prior to his visit with the Jaguars, Morse reportedly visited with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In each of his nine NFL seasons, Morse earned a grade above 61 from Pro Football Focus. Jaguars second-year center Luke Fortner received a grade of 44.3 in 2023.

While the Jacksonville offensive line struggled to clear space in the running game and didn’t do well at protecting Trevor Lawrence either, the team appears set to keep four of its five starters heading into the 2024 season. It looks like the Jaguars are considering adding a replacement for Fortner, though.

As a player who was released rather than becoming a free agent, Morse wouldn’t count against the compensatory pick formula in 2025.

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Report: Ex-Bills C Mitch Morse scheduled to meet with Steelers

Center Mitch Morse is scheduled to meet with the Steelers ahead of free agency.

Former Buffalo Bills center Mitch Morse, whom we mentioned as a fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers, will meet with Mike Tomlin and company in the coming days, according to TribLive’s Joe Rutter.

Morse, selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft, allowed just one sack in 2023. Advanced stats provided by Pro Football Focus grade Morse as an above-average pass-blocker (71.4) and an average run-blocker (61.5).

While signing Morse isn’t splashy and doesn’t preclude the Steelers from taking one in next month’s draft, the contract will be fiscally responsible and Morse would provide leadership and experience to the offensive line.

That’s all the Steelers are looking for.

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NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport breaks down long week for Bills (video)

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport breaks down long week for #Bills (video):

The Buffalo Bills had a crazy week. All-Pros are no longer with the teams after being released because of salary cap restraints.

Fan favorites got the axe, too.

Cuts weren’t just apart of the operation, either. Pass rusher Von Miller took a pay cut and other players restructured their deals.

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport did his best to breakdown all that happened at One Bills Drive this week.

Rap Sheets analysis can be found below:

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Did the Bills just give the Commanders their new starting center?

The Bills released former Pro Bowl center Mitch Morse in a salary cap move. He has connections to the Commanders.

On Wednesday, the Washington Commanders kicked off free agency by agreeing to a one-year deal with veteran tight end Zach Ertz. The 33-year-old Ertz signed a contract that could potentially be worth up to $5 million, giving Washington some much-needed depth at tight end.

Although real free agency doesn’t begin until next week, multiple teams have started releasing players to make room for new additions. Washington released three players last week.

On Wednesday, the Buffalo Bills made several moves. They released longtime starters center Mitch Morse, cornerback Tre’Davious White, and safety Jordan Poyer. All would be outstanding additions to the Commanders.

Morse may make the most sense for Washington, though.

One of the Commanders’ moves last week was releasing Nick Gates. Washington signed him to a three-year deal last offseason, and he didn’t play well. Veteran Tyler Larsen is a free agent and injury-prone. That leaves Ricky Stromberg, last year’s third-round pick, as the only center on the roster.

Stromberg didn’t play one snap at center and only played a few at guard before injuring his knee midway through the season. Stromberg was a first-team All-SEC center at Arkansas.

Still, Stromberg is unproven, and you need a veteran. Morse will receive offers to start in multiple places. If the Commanders plan on bringing in a rookie quarterback, pairing him with a veteran center makes sense. The center often helps the quarterback identify the Mike linebacker and set pass protections. It’s often underrated how important it is to have a veteran center who can help a young passer early in his career.

Morse can provide that for Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels.

Morse was a second-round pick in 2015 and was a four-year starter for the Chiefs with quarterback Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes. He signed with the Bills in 2019 and has been Josh Allen’s center for the past five seasons. Morse is dependable, too, having missed only six games with the Bills over the last five years.

Morse also has connections with the Commanders. Offensive line coach Bobby Johnson was Morse’s position coach for his first three seasons with the Bills. While we don’t know the status of their relationship, Johnson is the best person to give GM Adam Peters a scouting report on Morse.

Even better, Washington doesn’t have to wait until next week to sign Morse.

The sky is not falling on the Buffalo Bills

Some familiar faces may be gone, but this is far from Armageddon for the Buffalo Bills

Alright, everyone take a deep breath and listen up.

It was a bleak day at One Bills Drive in Buffalo. Several long-term stars, including center Mitch Morse, cornerback Tre’Davious White, and safety Jordan Poyer were all released as Buffalo continues to gear toward getting back under the cap. However, the reactions that followed made it seem as if the sky was falling on the Bills.

Talks of “well, it looks like the Bills’ Super Bowl window has closed” or “Buffalo is officially rebuilding” started making the rounds on the app formerly known as Twitter.

Mind you, this all stems from Buffalo releasing a 33 year-old safety, a 32 year old center (whom they may actually try to bring back on a cheaper deal) and a 29 year old cornerback who has missed 24 of the team’s last 34 regular season games. That is what has everyone sticking a fork in the Buffalo Bills? That is what their window is hinged upon? Folks, if you have Josh Allen, your window is never closed. You’re never rebuilding, you’re reloading.

Now, in terms of a fan perspective, the sentimental wound is very real, and I can respect that. Poyer and White helped end the playoff drought in 2017, and Morse has been a focal point of the team’s offensive line since 2019. These are guys that have built relationships with the fans and the community, so of course it hurts seeing them go if you are a Bills fan. However, in terms of the on-field impact, the Bills are more than capable to retooling.

And if there is one group that Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott consistently knock out of the park, it’s defensive backs. Poyer and Micah Hyde are prime examples of that, They took two cast-offs and made them the best safety duo in football for half a decade. They turned seventh-round pick Dane Jackson into a reliable rotational cornerback. They got the absolute most out of Rasul Douglas after acquiring him ahead of the trade deadline.

On top of that, according to Spotrac, if the Bills do a full base salary and roster bonus conversion to signing bonus to Josh Allen’s deal, they can free up $22.7 million in cap space, which would make them cap compliant.

The day was filled with hard goodbyes for fans, but the Buffalo Bills are fine. They’ll need to address the secondary in free agency and the draft, as well as wide receiver, but this is far from Armageddon.

Bills release potential replacement for Mason Cole

The Bills released Mitch Morse, who would give the Steelers an upgrade at center.

This is the time when all NFL teams are making the great roster purge, releasing players in the name of fiscal relief, even players who are still very capable. The Pittsburgh Steelers have already done it this offseason, and now the Buffalo Bills have with the release of center Mitch Morse.

The Steelers cut their own starting center, Mason Cole, as both a cost-cutting move and because Cole struggled last season. Morse’s release puts a viable veteran center on the market with playoff experience who is at least the equal of Cole but realistically an improvement.

Some higher-profile centers are on the market if the Steelers want to invest heavily into the position, but Morse feels like one of those steady veterans Pittsburgh likes. He’s not going to wow anyone, but the contract will be fiscally responsible and Morse would provide leadership and experience to the offensive line. Adding Morse would certainly not preclude the Steelers from drafting a center next month.

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