On Monday the Bills cleaned out their lockers after a 7-9 season that ended with an interim coach in Anthony Lynn. Now with the offseason upon them, many laid out where things stand for them in terms of the decisions both they and the team have to make.
Buffalo Bills Insider Chris Brown provides the details. Here is his report:
On Monday the Bills cleaned out their lockers after a 7-9 season that ended with an interim coach in Anthony Lynn. Now with the offseason upon them, many laid out where things stand for them in terms of the decisions both they and the team have to make.
Here’s a look at their thoughts on some of the most pressing issues facing the club.
1 – Tyrod looking for direction
Bills QB Tyrod Taylor did not like being benched for the season finale in Week 17 even though the team was out of the playoff race. Coming off one of his best games of the season he wanted to finish the season out with his teammates, and felt it was “taken from him.”
Taylor said he had only a brief conversation with GM Doug Whaley about the decision to sit him last week and would like further clarification on where things are headed with the team and him at the quarterback position.
“Just to be clear and let me know the plan going forward,” said Taylor. “They made a decision last week to sit me for the last game of the season. Did I believe that was fair? No, I didn’t. I guess just the plan moving forward.”
As for the decision that must be made on the option in his contract, Taylor would “love that to happen,” and didn’t dismiss the thought of possibly restructuring his current agreement.
“I love this community. I love the guys in the locker room,” Taylor said. “Can we be better? Yes. Can I be better? Yes. If the decision is to keep me here I’ll continue to keep playing my heart out and continue to keep preparing the way I do and get this team to where it deserves to be. But that decision has to be made and we’ll take it from there once it’s been made.”
2 – Gilmore doesn’t want the franchise tag
It’s far from a lock that the Bills would even make use of it, but with impending free agent Stephon Gilmore looking for top cornerback money this offseason, that might be the only way he gets it from Buffalo.
The Gilmore camp has been clear they’re looking for top five money at the position. The Bills have to be fiscally conscious of their other needs knowing Gilmore is one of 24 free agents on the roster.
If the Bills do decide to make use of the franchise tag, Gilmore would not be thrilled by it.
“I don’t think anybody really wants the tag,” said Gilmore. “I wouldn’t want it, but it is what it is… if it happens.”
Gilmore really doesn’t have a say in the matter. It’s the team’s option to make use of the franchise or transition tag if they so choose. Upon signing a franchise tag the money in the one-year contract is guaranteed.
The fifth-year cornerback feels he had a strong second half to the season and established his worth as a solid defender on the boundary.
“I feel like I get better as the season goes along,” he said. “That’s what you want to do, keep getting better and better and keep peaking. It’s good to start off hot, but sometimes what happens is you get better and better and keep proving yourself. I’ve been in the league for five years and started every year so I’ve proved myself a lot.”
3 – McCoy backs Lynn
After speaking last week about how the players in Buffalo’s locker room need to embody more professionalism and better dedication to effectively perform the job they’re expected to do on a weekly basis, LeSean McCoy also addressed the team’s coaching search.
When asked specifically about interim coach Anthony Lynn, McCoy, who has had him as running backs coach and offensive coordinator the last two seasons, is in full support of him being hired for the job on a permanent basis.
“I like Coach Lynn. I really do,” he said. “I think he makes everyone accountable. He’s that leader type of coach that we need. A lot of players like playing for him, myself (included). When I first got here as a running back, he’s my coach. Dealing with him on a day-to-day basis, I fell in love with him. So I’m actually excited that he’s up for the job and we’ll see. Hopefully he gets it.”
4 – No decision yet for Aaron
Each of the last two seasons for Aaron Williams have ended prematurely with neck injuries. Last offseason he had neck fusion surgery. This season his year was cut short after a vicious hit from Miami’s Jarvis Landry led to another neck injury. He’s healthy now, but after being taken by ambulance from the football field to the hospital the last two seasons, he is going to take time to make a call on his future playing career.
“I’m still not sure yet,” said Williams. “I’ve been back and forth myself. There will be days where I want to come back and there are other days where I wake up and feel great being healthy and not hurting. I still have a little more time to think about it. This is a decision where I can’t rush into it. I love this game and I love everything it has done for me and my family. At the same time I have to look out for my health.”
Williams said his family would like to see him walk away from the game after six NFL seasons. For the safety the decision isn’t that simple.
“In my heart I haven’t given these guys the Aaron Williams I can give,” said Wiliams. “I’ve been in two unfortunate situations where I’ve been out for the season. It’s very frustrating because I know I can be an impact player. I know I can help this team out and help bring this city a playoff appearance and playoff wins and hopefully a Super Bowl. But if I’m not out here it’s terrible.
“I’m going to take my time with this really because I really do love this game. I love my teammates, my coaches, my owners who are exceptional to this team. So we’ll see where this takes us.”
Williams plans to meet with management to see how much time he has before giving the Bills a definitive answer so they can solidify their offseason plans.