Bates traded to Bears

[YardRat]

For a fifth this year.

[tomz]

What does this do cap-wise?

[Woodman]

The trade will become official March 13, pending a physical.

The Bears signed Bates, then a restricted free agent, to an offer sheet in 2022, but Buffalo matched it.

Bates spent five seasons in Buffalo, appearing in 73 games and making 19 starts. In 2023, he played 17 games but did not make a start.

The Bills now have 10 picks in the 2024 draft.

[Woodman]

Bates has two more years on his current contract, which pegs the Bears with a $5.4 million cap hit annually over the next two seasons, according to Spotrac.
Bates, 27, has played all five seasons of his NFL career with the Bills, making 19 starts in 73 games.

[YardRat]

I think it saves about $1.4mil, still a $4mil dead cap hit.

[DraftBoy]

Gives us something for somebody who could have ended up cut to save money.

[Woodman]

I think it saves about $1.4mil, still a $4mil dead cap hit.

According to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic, the Bills cleared about $1.4 million in cap space by sending Bates to Chicago. It’s not significant space in terms of the salary cap, but Buffalo has some young players currently on their roster who could ultimately take Bates’ spot on a lower contract.

[Turf]

10 draft picks. A ton of capital to move up.

[TheConsigliere]

Hooray!!!

Bates was NEVER going to be a starting offensive lineman on a contending NFL team.

[DraftBoy]

According to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic, the Bills cleared about $1.4 million in cap space by sending Bates to Chicago. It’s not significant space in terms of the salary cap, but Buffalo has some young players currently on their roster who could ultimately take Bates’ spot on a lower contract.

Literally who is Joe B even talking about? We don’t have any young interior OL on the roster outside of Torrence who Bates we already behind on the depth chart. The other young OL are all tackles.

[TheConsigliere]

Anti-OL Posters here will need to stay calm because the Bills are drafting 2 OL this year in their first 3 picks -- Centre and OT (NOT necessarily in that order).

[DetoxTent]

Anti-OL Posters here will need to stay calm because the Bills are drafting 2 OL this year in their first 3 picks -- Centre and OT (NOT necessarily in that order).

And the Bruins are going to win the cup.

[Ginger Vitis]

Literally who is Joe B even talking about?

Alec Anderson

[Forward_Lateral]

I think this almost ensures they draft a C

[DetoxTent]

Literally who is Joe B even talking about? We don’t have any young interior OL on the roster outside of Torrence who Bates we already behind on the depth chart. The other young OL are all tackles.

Another self-proclaimed know-it-all. And what do you think Beane's going to do with the draft pick? Replace him for cheaper?

The team also has Alec Anderson on the roster, a 24-year old who is very similar to Bates as far as versatility, and will cost less than $1 million in 2024.

LINK

[TacklingDummy]

Dawkins 29
Brown 26
McGovern 26
Cyrus 24
Anderson 24
Edwards 26
Van Demark 24
Morse 31

I don't consider this a old bunch.

[Woodman]

10 draft picks. A ton of capital to move up.

Soon to be 11

Right now our picks are the following .... before comp pick.

• Round 1, Pick 28
• Round 2, Pick 60
• Round 4, Pick 129
• Round 5, Pick 142 (from CHI)
• Round 5, Pick 159 (from GB)
• Round 5, Pick 162
• Round 6, Pick 198 (from LAR)
• Round 6, Pick 202 (from HOU)
• Round 6, Pick 206
• Round 7, Pick 246

[Bill Cody]

Is there a "kick God" we can draft in the 6th round? Yardrat is already calling him a wasted pick

[Novacane]

Guess that pretty much assures Morse is not going to be a cap casualty.

[OpIv37]

Imagine either using the #1 overall pick on Caleb Williams, or giving Justin Fields $40 million a year, only to have Ryan Bates protecting him. Good luck with that one