Buffalo Bills and Lorenzo Alexander Working Towards New Deal
By Paul Taylor
A new report indicates the Buffalo Bills and Lorenzo Alexander are on the right track towards agreeing a new contract to keep the linebacker in Western New York.
The Buffalo Bills have been extremely active during the first couple of days during free agency. And whether you agree with everything they’ve done or not, you have to trust it’s all been done with the bigger picture in mind, i.e. finally ending the longest active playoff drought in the NFL.
With this in mind, you imagine bringing Lorenzo Alexander back for the 2017 season will be a priority. In that respect, the latest developments sound hopeful.
As reported by WGR550’s Sal Capaccio, the Bills and Alexander are making positive progress in contract negotiations. Capaccio goes on to write that while there is still work to be done, the belief is a new deal will be agreed sooner rather than later.
It should come as little surprise to hear this news, with the 33-year old recently saying he loves living in Buffalo. Speaking to Alex Marvez and Kirk Morrison on SiriusXM NFL Radio, he said:
"“It’s a great football city, a blue-collar town and family oriented. It’s right up my alley.”"
From the Bills’ perspective, you can understand why they would want to have Alexander back in the fold. He is coming off a season where he set career-highs with 12.5 sacks, 64 total tackles, six pass defenses and three forced fumbles, resulting in his second Pro Bowl appearance (first as a defensive player).
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However, this does not mean the move would be without some risk on the part of the front office. The 2016 campaign was the first time the Oakland, California native started regularly and there are no guarantees he will continue to produce at a high level, with his age being another factor.
There have also been some concerns voiced about Alexander’s ability to fit into the 4-3 scheme likely to be deployed by Sean McDermott. In fairness though, you imagine the Bills’ new head coach will have discussed this aspect with the outside linebacker, as well as the front office.
Overall though, there are more positives than negatives when it comes to re-signing the 2016 Second-team All-Pro. In addition, as the Bills attempt to recover from the Rex Ryan regime, Alexander’s leadership skills and work ethic could be key to any turnaround.
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What’s your take on Alexander likely returning to Buffalo for the 2017 season? Are you excited, or at all concerned about his ability to be effective in a 4-3 defense? Share your thoughts in the comments section.