Report: Buffalo Bills Sign Ex-Quarterback Logan Thomas
According to multiple reports, the Buffalo Bills have signed former quarterback turned wide receiver, Logan Thomas. So what does this signing mean for Thomas’ future, and more importantly, what will his impact be on the Bills?
It really isn’t all that surprising to hear that the Buffalo Bills have signed Logan Thomas. After all, Rex Ryan is their head coach.
Ryan has a history of giving opportunities to household names that other teams seem to have little interest in, whether it be Tim Tebow during his tenure with the Jets, or recently in Buffalo with Percy Harvin (twice) and Reggie Bush.
Fox Sports‘ Peter Schrager was first to report the Bills’ signing of Thomas as a tight end, with other prominent NFL and Bills beat reporters since doing the same.
Sources: Bills signing Logan Thomas off DET practice squad. Inspired by T. Pryor's move to WR, BUF sees a potential TE. @NFLonFOX @gmfb
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) November 29, 2016
As with the signings of Harvin and Bush, it may not sound like an exciting acquisition. However, Thomas’ deal should be thought of as extremely low risk, with the potential to pay dividends later on based on his potential.
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Thomas, drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 draft as a quarterback by the Arizona Cardinals, spent three years as Virginia Tech’s starting pivot— ironically then taking over the helm when current Bills QB Tyrod Taylor departed for the NFL. Since then, Thomas has flamed out as an NFL passer, lasting just one season with the Cardinals and then essentially spending the rest of his time serving as a practice arm for the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants respectively.
Desperate to remain in the pros, the Detroit Lions took notice of Thomas’ decision to change positions and signed him to their practice roster just a day before the Bills acquired him. The 25-year-old took snaps as a tight end during his freshmen year with the Hokies and also saw some at wide receiver in high school.
The 25-year-old definitely passes the eye test, standing six-foot-six, weighing 250 pounds and having been clocked at 4.61 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the 2014 NFL Combine. Athletically, he fits the mold of today’s NFL hybrid tight ends.
WKBW Buffalo‘s Joe Buscaglia believes Thomas will be promoted to the Bills’ 53-man active roster immediately, given that Walt Powell and Corbin Bryant have been placed on injured reserve. This may excite Bills fans, but really they should hold off on any enthusiasm for now.
The obvious comparison for Thomas is upstart Cleveland Browns’ receiver Terrelle Pryor, who like the Bills newest pass-catcher was also a high-profile college quarterback. However, Pryor committed to switching positions at the beginning of the 2015 NFL season and is only now enjoying the fruits of his labor.
Again, having not wanting to do anything but throw passes for nearly three seasons, Thomas will also most likely need a substantial adjustment period before he can be expected to contribute, even if he is eligible to play right away.
The best case scenario is that the Bills have found a cheap dynamic secondary option to back up Charles Clay. If not, Thomas will join a growing list of well-recognizable players that Ryan believes he’s outsmarted the rest of the league in acquiring.
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What do you make of the Bills signing of Thomas? With his athletic abilities, is he the NFL’s next great late bloomer tight end? Or is he in over his head? Let us know in the comments section below.