Buffalo Bills 2022 Free Agent Profile: Defensive End Mario Addison

The Buffalo Bills front office has tried to address the defensive end position the past few offseasons. In 2020, the Bills not only drafted A.J. Epenesa in the second round but also signed veteran Mario Addison to a three-year deal.

However, last offseason Buffalo and Addison were able to agree on a restructured contract that allowed him to reach free agency a year earlier. Could the Buffalo Bills bring back the veteran pass rusher this offseason?

Career Overview

Mario Addison had a slow start to his career as he entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2011 after being signed by the Chicago Bears. He would play only three games as a rookie before being cut midseason and was claimed by the Indianapolis Colts shortly after.

In his next season in the NFL, he would play for three different NFL teams in that one season after starting with the Indianapolis Colts but was signed by Washington off the Colts’ practice squad. Addison would finish the season with the Carolina Panthers after they signed him off Washington’s practice squad.

This would be the team he would spend the majority of his career and he played eight seasons with the Panthers. He would develop into a consistent pass rusher for them including a stretch of four straight years with nine or more sacks.

2021 Season Recap

This past season was similar to his first with the Buffalo Bills in terms of statistics as he led the team in sacks once again with seven this year, compared to five last year, along with seven QB hits compared to eight in 2020. He also had two forced fumbles this season, which he didn’t have any last year.

While the stats were similar, this season Addison did it more in a reserved role as the coaching staff tried to manage his workload. In 2020, Addison played 61% of the defensive snaps but this past season that total dropped to 45% and he didn’t start a single game.

Should the Buffalo Bills re-sign Mario Addison?

The Buffalo Bills are going to have a decision to make with Mario Addison, along with Jerry Hughes, about if they want to bring back older pass rushers to compliment the youth they have at the position.

Addison will be 35 years old next season but he seemed to be more effective with fewer snaps as evident by the fact that he did lead the defense in sacks. The decision for the Buffalo Bills to re-sign Addison ultimately will come down to money but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him return on a one-year deal based on how he played last year.