Following the end of the 2023 NFL season, which saw the Kansas City Chiefs etch their name in history, teams across the league are now focused on fortifying their rosters for the upcoming campaign. With the free agent market buzzing and the NFL Combine 2024 providing insight into draft prospects, all 32 teams are diligently scouting for talent to bolster their ranks.
Among them, the Buffalo Bills have opted to enhance their assets for the upcoming NFL Draft. Nevertheless, this strategic decision came at the cost of parting ways with their veteran player, Ryan Bates.
Bills to trade Ryan Bates for 5th round Draft pick
The Bills and the Bears have finalized a deal that will see offensive lineman Ryan Bates heading to the Windy City in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick. This trade marks an important move for both teams as they strategize for the upcoming season.
Nevertheless, it is set to be official on March 13 pending a physical. Notably, the Bills managed to clear approximately $1.4 million in cap space with this transaction, according to insights from Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic.
What makes this trade even more intriguing is the history between Bates and Bears general manager Ryan Poles. In 2022, Poles attempted to sign Bates to a four-year offer sheet as a restricted free agent. However, the bills matched the offer at that time.
Now, with Bates heading to Chicago, it seems fate has brought them together once again. For Bates, it is not something he expected, as he openly expressed his desire to remain with the Bills following the 2023 season.
“I don’t want to go anywhere else. I want to stay here. I don’t keep that a secret,” he said.
Entering his fifth season in the league, the 27-year-old has already proven himself as a reliable asset on the offensive line. His experience and skill set make him a valuable addition to any team.
With the Bears aiming to shore up their protection after allowing 50 sacks last season, Bates’s arrival could provide a much-needed boost. With promising young quarterback Justin Fields, who garnered praise from LeBron James, bearing the brunt of 44 of those sacks, Chicago is keen to provide him with better support and protection in the pocket.
Ryan Bates performance in 2023 NFL season
During the 2023 season, Ryan Bates appeared in all 17 games for the Bills, although he did not start any. Throughout the last season, he proved his defensive prowess by recording 36 total tackles, including one tackle for loss. Additionally, Bates demonstrated his skills in pass coverage with 10 passes defended and four interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Since joining the Bills team, his ability to force turnovers and disrupt opposing offenses has made him a valuable asset to the Bills’ defensive unit.
The defensive lineman’s journey to the NFL began when he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles after going undrafted in 2019. Nevertheless, his time in Philadelphia was short-lived, as he was later traded to the Bills. In Buffalo, he found a home and made his mark on the team, appearing in a total of 73 games.
In those games, he made 19 starts over five seasons. Furthermore, he has played in nine playoff games with the Bills, starting in four of them.
His consistent performance on the field and ability to make impactful plays have earned him the respect of his teammates and the Bills mafia.
