Will the Buffalo Bills miss Ryan Bates if he signs with the Chicago Bears?

With free agency under full effect, the movement of non-starting interior offensive linemen isn’t the headline news NFL fans are looking for, especially with the blockbuster moves that have stolen the spotlight of this off-season. However, with the Chicago Bears interested in Ryan Bates— and with Bates reportedly set to sign an offer sheet with Chicago— will the Buffalo Bills miss him if he’s scooped up?

Well, for starters, the Buffalo Bills have five days from the Bears’ offer to match their deal, since he’s a restricted free agent. So, whether the Bills will miss him or not will be determined based on how much the Bears offer.

Since the Bears lost out on Larry Ogunjobi this off-season due to a failed physical, their checkbook— specifically in 2022— opened up quite a bit. The deal Ogunjobi and the Bears agreed to was a three-year, $40.5 million deal, including $26.35 million guaranteed. With that deal now nullified, the Bears could likely offer more than the Bills are willing to match.

What would the Buffalo Bills miss about Ryan Bates if he signs with a new team?

And if they do, will the Bills be missing out much on the versatile offensive lineman in Bates?

Since joining the Bills in 2019, Ryan Bates has been a guy that hasn’t really cemented himself in the league, however, one of the bigger draws to him is his versatility.

The downside, however, is somewhat part of his positives. He hasn’t really found a starting role on this line.

Outside three games this season (Weeks 16, 17, and 18), Bates didn’t take the field for more than 20% of offensive snaps. He would also get the start in both playoff games for Buffalo last season.

Ryan Bates offensive snap % in 2021 regular season

• Week 1: 0 offensive snaps (0.0%)
• Week 2: 2 offensive snaps (3.1%)
• Week 3: 8 offensive snaps (10.1%)
• Week 4: 10 offensive snaps (13.9%)
• Week 5: 0 offensive snaps (0.0%)
• Week 6: 1 offensive snaps (1.3%)
• Week 8: 4 offensive snaps (5.5%)
• Week 9: 1 offensive snap (1.5%)
• Week 10: 11 offensive snaps (19.0%)
• Week 11: 5 offensive snaps (8.9%)
• Week 12: 9 offensive snaps (13.6%)
• Week 13: 4 offensive snaps (6.9%)
• Week 14: 1 offensive snaps (1.3%)
• Week 15: 6 offensive snaps (8.6%)
• Week 16*: 79 offensive snaps (100.0%)
• Week 17*: 71 offensive snaps (93.4%)
• Week 18*: 82 offensive snaps (100.0%)
  * Started that week

While the Chicago Bears, or any team that signs Bates, can’t expect drastic improvements in their offense there is no question Buffalo’s offensive line played better when he was on the field and that translated to success for Josh Allen. In Bates’ three starts, the Bills went 3-0; Josh Allen was a combined 65/118 (55%); he threw for 673 yards, 5 TDs, 3 INTs; and most notably, Allen took 0 sacks.

However, other than the last three games of the season when Bates stepped in for Ike Boettger, Ryan Bates wasn’t the glue that held the Bills together. And that’s not a shot at Bates, as he’s clearly somewhat important to the team if he’s gaining this type of buzz. Being as versatile as he is at a young age makes him a prime target for teams still looking to build. However, should the Buffalo Bills commit to a long-term deal for a player with only five starts last year?

Overall, it’d be a bummer for the Bills to lose out on a 25-year-old Swiss army knife o-lineman in Ryan Bates, but with the Bills’ current roster, they should be okay. That’s if the Bears, or another interested team, outbid the Bills.