This is probably not a move many expected coming out of Buffalo, but the Bills have traded reserve offensive lineman Ryan Bates to the Chicago Bears. In exchange for Bates, the Bears are sending their fifth-round selection, number 142nd overall to the Bills. This move gives the Bills three selections in the fifth round and makes you wonder if Brandon Beane is looking to stockpile some additional draft assets for a move up in the draft, perhaps in the first round, or maybe multiple moves. You never know with Beane.
Ryan Bates is the Bills' top offensive line backup, serving as primarily as the backup to center Mitch Morse; however, Bates has the versatility to play either guard position as well. It's likely the Bears see him as a full-time starter for them considering the price they are paying to acquire.
The Buffalo Bills are wheeling and dealing early
The move also frees up $1.4 million in the salary cap; however, also comes with a dead cap hit of $4 million. The trade was just announced but it's being speculated that part of the deal may have included some sort of contract renegotiation to help reduce that dead cap hit. Either way, as of right now, the Buffalo Bills are going into the 2024 NFL Draft with 11 picks. I doubt that Brandon Beane and the Bills come out of the draft with 11 player selections.
This move also makes it far more likely that the Bills select an offensive lineman or two in this year's draft. In a recent five-round mock I completely, I had Buffalo doing that very thing, selecting a guard in the fifth round. You can check the link below for the full article. I also have a feeling that Brandon Beane isn't done doing Brandon Beane things.