It took almost two more years than they wanted, but the Chicago Bears finally got Ryan Bates.
On Monday night, the Buffalo Bills announced that they were sending the versatile offensive lineman to the Bears in exchange for a 5th round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. In March of 2022, Chicago signed Bates, then a restricted free agent, to an offer sheet. The Bills ultimately matched the contract retaining the lineman.
Bates would go on to start 15 games with Buffalo in 2022, but he fell out of the starting lineup last season with Connor McGovern and O’Cyrus Torrence winning the starting guard jobs. Bates provided good depth for Buffalo at guard and center, but getting a fifth round pick was enough for Brandon Beane to send Bates to Chicago. The offensive lineman appeared in 73 games during his five seasons with the Bills and made 19 starts for Buffalo.
According to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic, the Bills cleared about $1.4 million in cap space by sending Bates to Chicago. It’s not significant space in terms of the salary cap, but Buffalo has some young players currently on their roster who could ultimately take Bates’ spot on a lower contract.
The trade will become official on March 13.
Following the news of the trade, Buffalo currently has 10 picks in this year’s draft. That will likely move to 11 when the league announces compensatory picks.
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