2018 starter Russell Bodine should be expendable for the Buffalo Bills.
When center Eric Wood unexpectedly retired after the 2017 season, the Buffalo Bills had to get a plan in place for the position. That plan; replace Wood with free agent addition Russell Bodine or backup Ryan Groy. But, it didn’t quite work out, as Bodine gave the team decent play, but broke his leg towards the end of the season. As for Groy, the team didn’t resign him, and he’s now a Saint.
Instead of resting on their laurels expecting a better season from Bodine, the Bills acted quickly in free agency. General manager Brandon Beane inked versatile center/guard Spencer Long to a three-year, $12.5 million contract. He then made Mitch Morse the highest paid center in NFL history with a four-year $44 million contract.
The result of the signings should be improved offensive line play, with Bodine on the outside looking in. With both Morse and Long on-board, Bodine is the third highest paid center on the roster at $2.8 million. He also seems to be the third option on the depth chart.
Morse is the unquestioned starter. Long, as he currently stands, appears to be his backup. Considering that teams often bring in just two centers on a 53-man roster, Bodine either needs to perform well in training camp/pre-season or needs to switch to guard to offer versatility.
Unfortunately for Bodine, neither may be possible. He’s currently sitting out OTA’s due to that broken leg and has never seen guard snaps in the NFL — the last time he played guard was in college. This doesn’t bode well for the Bodine, but it may for the Bills.
Bodine is a solid center, but the Bills appear to be set at the position. In turn, making him expendable. If the Bills want to part ways with him, they could do so and save $2.3 million, per Over The Cap. But, they shouldn’t release him out-right.
Due to the poor offensive line play league-wide, teams are still searching for their answer at center. Contenders including the Saints, Texans, Rams, and Chiefs all may be searching for their starting center. With Morse and Long on-board, the Bills could start trade talks with either to send Bodine over for a mid-round pick.
Of course, the team could also view Long as a guard and keep Bodine as a high-caliber backup. That wouldn’t be considered as a luxury; as both Morse and Long don’t have a clean bill of health.
However, if, by the time pre-season ends, the line is healthy, Bodine should be looked at as expendable. With just one-year left on his contract, the team will likely receive little in compensation if he leaves — they might as well get something for him when they can.