Buffalo Bills: C Mitch Morse is healthy, ready to practice

The Buffalo Bills’ newest center, Mitch Morse, is healthy and ready to practice in Western New York for the first time.

The Buffalo Bills will have to wait no longer to see center Mitch Morse practice. According to head coach Sean McDermott, the former Kansas City Chief is ready to suit up in blue and red after recovering from a core muscle surgery, as he’s now participating in mandatory minicamp.

Maybe the Bills’ biggest get in free agency; the team paid a pricey sum to sign Morse. His four-year, $44.5 million contract is the highest ever for a center. But, the cause to sign, for the Bills, was more than just — after Eric Wood‘s retirement, the team desperately needed a high-quality snapper.

A four year NFL veteran, Morse has proved to be amongst the league’s best at his position, specifically in pass protection. Per Pro Football Focus, Morse finished seventh in the NFL in 2018 for centers as a pass protector with an 81.2 grade. He’s earned 70.0+ grades for each of his four years as a pro; providing consistency and stability for both Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes.

Now with the Bills, Morse expects to be a catalyst for Josh Allen‘s predicted improvement in year two. Although he’s not going to bring a mauling, physical, run-blocking skillset to Buffalo, his proficiency as a pass protector is much needed for a team that had trouble keeping their rookie upright last year.

With Morse now healthy, the revamped Bills’ offensive line can groom chemistry during practice. It’s worth noting that fellow free-agent addition wide receiver Cole Beasley is rehabbing from a core surgery as well, and he’s now practicing in a limited quantity.