Tag: Ryan Bates

Report: Bills already restructure Ryan Bates’ new contract

Report: #Bills already restructure Ryan Bates’ new contract:

Offensive lineman Ryan Bates was signed to an offer sheet by the Chicago Bears. As a restricted free agent, the Buffalo Bills had the option to match any contract he lands with another team. That’s exactly what they did. 

Once the Bills add a contract to their books, they can do whatever they want with it.

In a way to put their own spin on Bates’ new deal, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane worked with the lineman to restructure that new contract… already.

According to a report from The Athletic, the Bills and Bates reworked his freshly signed deal in an effort to open up $1.125 million in salary cap space:

With Bates’ offer on the ledger, the Buffalo was pushed right up against the salary cap so the changes come as little surprise.

Per Bears Wire, the contract offered to the 25-year-old from Chicago was a four-year deal worth $17 million. The first two years — $8.8M — are fully guaranteed.

Bates, 25, was an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019 before being traded to Buffalo. Bates had been a versatile backup with the Bills for his first few seasons in the NFL until 2021.

Through the final four games and postseason last year, Bates took over as a starter and did not look back.

On paper, Bates is slated to be a starter at guard for the Bills in 2022 along with the recently added Rodger Saffold. The team will look for Bates to earn his playing time throughout this summer, though.

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Ryan Bates told Brandon Beane ‘I wanted to be a Bill’ and he is again

#Bills OL Ryan Bates told Brandon Beane ‘I wanted to be a Bill’ and now he is again:

As Ryan Bates himself described it, it had been “a very long two weeks” before re-signing with the Buffalo Bills.

But in the end, what he always wanted, happened.

As a restricted free agent, Bates was tendered by the Bills. That doesn’t guarantee he would be back in Buffalo, though.

At that point, Bates could then go talk to other teams and potentially sign a contract offer, which he did, with the Chicago Bears. The Bills had a chance to match that figure and they did and Bates is officially back.

Despite signing with the Bears, Bates said his heart was still in Buffalo the whole time. He said he expressed that to Bills general manger Brandon Beane at the end of the 2021 season.

“I told Beane I wanted to be a Bill, I wanted to stay in Buffalo. Thankfully he came to the conclusion that I get to stay in Buffalo for the next four years,” Bates said via video conference.

It all worked out in the end for the 25-year-old. Still, he admitted it was a hard line to straddle.

He wanted to stay–but Bates had a contract and pay day he felt obligated to accept.

“You’re torn, torn is the right way to put it. It’s an unbelievable opportunity, a lot of life-changing money. It’s something you can’t really turn down,” Bates said.

“It meant a lot,” Bates added on the Bills matching the offer. “I get an opportunity to come back here and compete for a Super Bowl.”

Bates did not comment on whether or not he will have a starting spot next season. Potentially because of that, he also said he still plans to work every day like he’s the undrafted rookie free agent that he was to start his career–even with his new contract.

“Even though I might get paid more money, I’m still grinding. As an undrafted free agent the first three years–in the NFL, you’re undrafted until you prove otherwise,” Bates said. “I’m not going to change my mentality on how I attack every day.”

While continuing to do that, Bates did say he will with a bit more confidence. He signed with Chicago but also said the New England Patriots reached out to him as well.

That would make anyone feel good.

“I kind of felt like a high school player getting recruited to college,” Bates said.

Even with uncertainly with playing time ahead, the Bills have long liked Bates.

They originally traded for him during his rookie year because he was versality. To this day, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott says it’s a reason why he covets him.

“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.

On paper, it looks like Bates will battle Ike Boettger and Rodger Saffold for starting time at both guard spots this summer ahead of 2022.

Boettger was re-signed by the team like Bates while Saffold joined the Bills as a free agent via a one-year deal.

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Bills make Ryan Bates, Taiwan Jones re-signings official

#Bills make Ryan Bates, Taiwan Jones re-signings official:

The Buffalo Bills have acknowledged two recently reported on transactions, making both official.

The team announced on Monday that running back Taiwan Jones and offensive lineman Ryan Bates have signed their previously reported deals.

Jones inks another one-year deal in Buffalo while Bates is now under contract for the next four seasons. 

Jones, 33, returned to the Bills last offseason as well via a one-year deal.

Last season, Jones was the Bills’ third-largest special teams contributor for Buffalo in terms of snaps played. That ranked only behind Tyler Matakevich and Reggie Gilliam.

This offseason, Buffalo promoted Matt Smiley to special teams coordinator. Jones will likely factor into his special teams unit.

Bates was a restricted free agent earlier this offseason and the Bills tendered him. Bates went on to sign an offer sheet from the Chicago Bears and Buffalo matched it so he returns.

The 25-year-old had been reportedly speaking to at least three other NFL teams in recent weeks.

Bates has been a key depth piece along Buffalo’s offense line for a few years since being acquired via trade with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019. That deal originally mostly had to do with his versatility to play every position on the offensive line, something the Bills still covet.

In 2021, Bates finally got his first dose of starting time.

In Week 15, he began starting at left guard for Buffalo. Even when former starter Jon Feliciano returned to full health, Bates still held onto the job into the playoffs.

Bates originally jumped into the lineup when Ike Boettger went down with a season-ending Achilles injury. Buffalo a;sp announced that Boettger will be back via a one-year deal. 

As free agency opened, the Bills signed Pro Bowl offensive lineman Rodger Saffold, who indicated he’s slated to start at left guard.

Despite that, both Saffold and Bates have the versatility to kick over to the right side of of the offensive line. Out of the gate this summer, it appears Bates and Saffold will be the favorites to start on Buffalo’s O-line in 2022.

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Sean McDermott: Ryan Bates ‘meant a lot’ to Bills, Bears GM bummed about it

What Sean McDermott, Brandon Beane & the #Bears had to say about the #Bills bringing OL Ryan Bates back:

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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Here’s the contract the Bears offered OL Ryan Bates

The Bills matched the Bears’ offer sheet for OL Ryan Bates. Here’s what Chicago was going to pay Bates:

The Chicago Bears still have a glaring hole within the interior of the offensive line after losing out on restricted free agent Ryan Bates.

Bates signed his offer sheet from the Bears on March 24, which gave the Bills five days to match Chicago’s offer. They took things down to the wire on Monday, where GM Brandon Beane announced that they were doing just that.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears’ offer was a four-year deal worth $17 million. The first two years — $8.8 million — are fully guaranteed. Now, Bates will get that same deal from the Bills, who matched Chicago’s offer.

Bates, 25, was an undrafted free agent by the Eagles in 2019 before being traded to Buffalo. While Bates has only made four career starts, he had established himself as a starter near the end of the season and in the postseason for Buffalo.

Now, the Bears are left with a gaping hole at right guard, which Bates was expected to fill. There are obvious concerns about quarterback Justin Fields heading into Year 2, as general manager Ryan Poles hasn’t done a lot to surround Fields with talent to succeed.

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Ryan Bates gets four-year deal from Bills as team matches Bears’ offer

The #Bills decided to bring Ryan Bates back instead of letting him head to the #Bears:

The Buffalo Bills have made a decision on Ryan Bates.

The offensive lineman is back.

On Monday from the NFL owners meetings, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane confirmed the Bills matched the offer sheet the Chicago Bears sent him. Reportedly Bates signed a four-year deal with the Bears, which he’ll now get from the Bills.

The 25-year-old had been reportedly speaking to at least three other NFL teams in recent weeks.

Chicago was one of them, and last week, the Bears signed Bates to an offer sheet.

As a restricted free agent, Buffalo placed a $2.4 million tender on Bates.

That allows him to go speak with other teams as a free agent, however, the Bills will then have the opportunity to match any deal he signs. That’s what happened with the Bears.

Bates, 25, has been a key depth piece along Buffalo’s offense line for a few years since being acquired via trade with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019. That deal originally mostly had to do with his versatility to play every position on the offensive line, something the Bills still covet.

In 2021, Bates finally got his first dose of starting time.

In Week 15, he began starting at left guard for Buffalo. Even when former starter Jon Feliciano returned to full health, Bates still held onto the job into the playoffs.

As free agency opened, the Bills signed Pro Bowl offensive lineman Rodger Saffold, who went on to indicate he’s slated to start at left guard in Buffalo.

Despite that, both Saffold and Bates have the versatility to kick over to the right side of of the offensive line. Out of the gate this summer, it appears Bates and Saffold will be the favorites to start on Buffalo’s O-line in 2022.

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Twitter reacts to Bears losing out on OL Ryan Bates

The Bills matched the Bears’ offer sheet for OL Ryan Bates. As you can imagine, fans had plenty to say.

The deadline was looming for the Buffalo Bills to match the Chicago Bears’ offer sheet for restricted free agent offensive lineman Ryan Bates. Buffalo went down to the wire and officially matched Chicago’s offer sheet. Unfortunately for Bears fans.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, it’s a four-year deal for Bates, which means Chicago was ready to commit for the long haul. Unfortunately for the Bears, they’re still looking for help along the interior of the offensive line.

Bates, a restricted free agent, visited with the Bears, New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings this offseason. Bates signed his offer sheet from the Bears on March 24, which gave the Bills five days to match Chicago’s offer.

Which is exactly what they did.

As you can imagine, Bears fans are pretty disappointed that they lost out on Bates, who originally signed with Chicago and looked to fill an important hole at right guard. Now, the Bears still have plenty of work to do on the offensive line for quarterback Justin Fields.

Ryan Bates won’t be joining the Bears after Bills match offer sheet

Sorry, Bears fans. Ryan Bates is headed back to Buffalo after the Bills matched his offer sheet from Chicago.

The Chicago Bears’ search for interior offensive linemen continues after the Buffalo Bills matched Ryan Bates’ offer sheet.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Bates is getting a four-year deal with the Bills.

Bates, a restricted free agent, visited with the Bears, New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings this offseason. Bates signed his offer sheet from the Bears on March 24, which gave the Bills five days to match Chicago’s offer. Buffalo initially offered Bates an original round tender of $2.4 million.

Bates, 25, was an undrafted free agent by the Eagles in 2019 before being traded to Buffalo later that season. As a rookie, he appeared in just eight games. Since then, he’s appeared in every game. He also has experience playing both left and right guard.

While Bates has only made four career starts, he had established himself as a starter near the end of the season and in the postseason for Buffalo. It wasn’t a surprise that the Bills found a way to retain someone they believe will be the future along the offensive line.

Unfortunately for the Bears, they’re left without a starting right guard. Although, there are certainly some questions about where certain players will line up along the offensive line in 2022. But right guard was the immediate hole that needed to be filled.

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We’ll soon know if Ryan Bates lands with Bears

The Bills have until Tuesday to match the offer sheet OL Ryan Bates signed with the Bears last week.

The Chicago Bears are close to learning if they’ll have a new offensive lineman on the roster in Buffalo Bills restricted free agent Ryan Bates.

Bates signed his offer sheet from the Bears on March 24, which gave the Bills five days to match Chicago’s offer. Buffalo offered Bates an original round tender of $2.4 million.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott said the team is still working through a decision about whether to match the Bears’ offer sheet. But the deadline is Tuesday, which means we’ll soon have an answer.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Bills won’t be eligible for draft-pick compensation if they don’t march Chicago’s offer, as Buffalo gave him the low tender.

Bates, 25, was an undrafted free agent by the Eagles in 2019 before being traded to Buffalo later that season. As a rookie, he appeared in just eight games. Since then, he’s appeared in every game. He also has experience playing both left and right guard.

While Bates has only made four career starts, he’s someone who projects to fill the vacant right guard starting role for Chicago. While there are still questions about who will fill certain positions on the offensive line, Bates would answer the immediate need at guard right now.

Bates was in high demand after visits with the Bears, New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings. Ultimately, he chose to sign with Chicago. But we’ll see if that contract is enough to stave off the Bills.

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Report: Former Penn State OL Ryan Bates expected to sign Bears offer sheet

A former Penn State offensive lineman is expected to sign an offer sheet from the Chicago Bears.

Former Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Ryan Bates could be on the move in NFL free agency. According to reports, he could sign an offer sheet from an NFC North team.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Bates intends to sign an offer sheet from the Chicago Bears. As a restricted free agent, the Buffalo Bills will have fine days to match the contract offered.

Bates signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL draft. He was then traded in August to the Bills in exchange for Eli Harold. His contract ended following the 2021 NFL season.

Bates has appeared in 41 games in his NFL career with four starts in the 2021 season. The Bears are looking to beef up their offensive line in hopes of giving Justin Fields the protection he needs for Chicago to be successful. The team has been very active in the free agency period. The team also added former Green Bay Packer, OL Lucas Patrick, on a two-year deal.

It appears that Bates could be the next in line to sign with one of the oldest NFL franchises. He was third-team All-Big Ten during the 2018 season for the Nittany Lions as well named to the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy. The award is given to the top interior offensive lineman in college football.

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