Buffalo Bills: Lorenzo Alexander deserves another contract
By James Reeve
Buffalo Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander deserves to be given another contract next season, after continuing to perform at a high level despite his advanced age.
Lorenzo Alexander joined the Buffalo Bills ahead of the 2016 NFL season, having spent the majority of his career as a special teams specialist.
Almost three full regular seasons later and Alexander is a mainstay in the team’s strong linebacker corps, alongside Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano.
This season alone, Alexander has one interception, deflected seven passes and forced one fumble, while also recovering a fumble.
He has 6.5 sacks and has combined for 46 tackles, including eight tackles for a loss and eight total quarterback hits.
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The 35-year-old is a key piece to arguably the strongest area of Sean McDermott‘s team, though he is an impending free agent after this season.
Most teams that have a player set to become a free agent who is well into their 30s, will often simply allow that player to walk, with very few likely to have a significant role on the team anymore.
But Alexander is not like most players, going undrafted in 2005 and now having two pro bowl appearances under his belt – also making the All-Pro second team in 2016.
Speaking to the Buffalo Bills official website, Alexander even voiced his desire to remain with the team for another season – preferring to stick around rather than look for a new team to join, with retirement still a possibility if things don’t work out.
General manager Brandon Beane needs to make sure that Alexander is signed up next season, giving the team solid continuity in the heart of their defence.
Per Spotrac, Alexander currently costs the Bills $3.6 million in cap space – good for 10th highest on the team.
This is relatively low considering his performances, but could equally become slightly reduced if Alexander is willing to stay with the team for another season.
A cap hit closer to $3 million could be more palatable for the Bills and would ensure they keep a key, albeit ageing, player firmly in the fold before he inevitably decides to hang his cleats up.
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What do you think Bills Mafia? Should Alexander get a new contract that will keep him around for another season in the NFL? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.