Zach Brown
The final player is arguably one of the best free agent signings when considering the contract and production. The Bills signed Zach Brown in 2016 to a one-year deal worth $1.25 million and Brown would go on to not only start for the Bills at linebacker but be one of the best at his position that season.
Brown finished the year with 149 total tackles, four sacks, one interception, and four passes defended. He would also be named to the Pro Bowl that season, which would be the only time in his career.
The circumstances around Zach Brown’s departure are certainly one that is head-scratching. He was coming off a career year and wasn’t garnering much interest in free agency (he ultimately would sign only a one-year deal worth $2.3 million with Washington). The Buffalo Bills likely could have brought him back at a comparable contract.
The decision ultimately could have come down to Sean McDermott, who was in his first season as head coach of the Bills. The team would be making a change from Rex Ryan’s defense to McDermott’s 4-3 defensive scheme and he may have thought Brown would not be a good fit.
Regardless of the reason, Zach Brown will go down on as one of the greatest players to play only one season with the Buffalo Bills.