3 impacts of A.J. Klein re-signing with the Buffalo Bills
By Joe Cook
On Sunday evening, long-time Buffalo Bills reporter Sal Capaccio reported that a reunion with linebacker A.J. Klein and the team was imminent.
Sure enough on Monday afternoon, the signing was made official. It’s a one-year deal for Klein for what we can assume will be a smaller amount, likely around the $2 million range. It will bring Klein back for his fourth year in Buffalo.
Last off-season, Klein was a cap casualty after his second season of a three-year deal. He bounced around a couple of teams before being claimed off waivers by the Bills in November. With Klein back in town yet again, it has a few impacts on the team.
Impact No. 1: The Buffalo Bills continue to add great depth
Football is all about the next man up, and the Buffalo Bills feature some of the best depth pieces year in and year out. Over the past few years, A.J. Klein has been central in that, and a crucial piece in the linebacker room. He filled in nicely for Matt Milano and Tremaine Edmunds over the past few seasons.
In three seasons in Buffalo, the 6’1″ 240lbs linebacker has appeared in 37 games, including 16 starts. Klein recorded 110 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. While pass defense isn’t his strong suit, he did okay in it, recording nine passes defended and an interception. For reference, Tremaine Edmunds recorded 14 passes defended over the past three years, as the starter.
Klein is a guy you have confidence in when he has to step in. Not to mention, he’s a very solid special teams player and brings a veteran presence as well.