Buffalo Bills: Writing is on the wall for Charles Clay

Once considered one of the best tight ends in the NFL, it is increasingly likely that Charles Clay’s time with the Buffalo Bills will come to an end after this season.

For all the uncertainty surrounding the Buffalo Bills entering the 2018 campaign, Charles Clay was not expected to be an issue. However, his play this season has resulted in recent speculation regarding his future in Western New York.

WKBW‘s Joe Buscaglia believes this will be Clay’s last season on the Bills’ roster. At the conclusion of this year, there is a potential out for the team.

If the Bills do decide to cut the 29-year-old, they can save $4.5 million on their salary cap for 2019. Bringing him back for the final season of his contract, would result in a cap hit of $9 million.

In fairness to Clay, he was a consistent contributor during the first three years of his contract in Buffalo. His productivity in the passing game averaged out to 52 catches, 546 receiving yards and three touchdowns per season, along with being an effective blocker.

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However, the 2011 sixth round draft pick has seen a dramatic downtown in his contribution this year, with just 19 receptions. He has no touchdowns and is on course for a career-low of 8.9 yards per catch.

And the Bills’ efforts to keep Clay healthy by regularly resting him during the week, have not helped. He has still suffered various injury issues to his shoulder, ankle and hamstring.

As a result, the Little Rock, Arkansas native is a shadow of his former self, as one of the best tight ends in the NFL. As things stand, it will be extremely difficult for the Bills to justify bringing him back for the final season of the five-year deal he signed in March 2015.

Of course, there is still the rest of this season to get through first. With the Bills highly unlikely to qualify for the playoffs, combined with Clay’s ongoing injury issues, there will be plenty of opportunities for the other tight ends on the team to make their case.

The two main backups on the depth chart are Jason Croom and Logan Thomas. It will be up to them to prove their worth, especially with the Bills set to strengthen the position during the offseason, if and when Clay is gone.

What is your take on Clay? Do you think this is his last season with the Buffalo Bills? Or would you bring him back for the final year of his contract? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.