Buffalo Bills Pull Off a Trade Late Last Night

We’re six days away from the start of NFL free agency. Monday, March 11th is when teams can start talking and negotiating with pending free agents. They can officially sign on Thursday, March 14th.

The Bills still need to clear about $34 million to be cap-compliant. That can be done with a Josh restructuring and likely another restructuring. They could also make Deonte Harty or Jordan Poyer expendable by releasing them.

The Bills got just under $3 million closer to their cap clearing by trading away a player they fought to keep just two years ago.

READ MORE: Buffalo Bills Cut Several Long-Time Players, Add To Roster

Buffalo announced late last night that they had traded offensive lineman Ryan Bates to the Chicago Bears for a 2024 5th-round pick.

Bates played mostly guard but has experience playing center and right tackle. He was a start before 2023, but nobody missed games due to injury in 2023, so he didn’t play much last season.

Bates signed a four-year contract offer from the Bears two years ago, but the Bills matched. Now, he gets traded to Chicago.

This move might not seem like much, but the additional draft pick gives the Bills 11 selections in the 2024 draft. That’s more than any other team. Most are on day 3, but if Brandon Beane doesn’t package some to move up on day 1 or 2, I’d be very surprised.

READ MORE: Here's How Much Cap Space The Bills Have

They still need help at wide receiver and defensive line. Safety help is needed as well, with the futures of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer undecided.

Get ready. The off-season is about to get crazy.