NEW DELHI: The
Buffalo Bills
made a notable move on Monday, agreeing to
trade
offensive lineman
Ryan Bates
to the
Chicago Bears
in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the upcoming 2024
NFL Draft
. The deal is contingent upon
Bates
passing a physical examination and is set to be finalized when the new
league year
commences on March 13, as announced by the Bills.
At 27 years old, Bates has established himself as a reliable presence on the offensive line during his tenure with the Bills. Over the course of his five seasons in Buffalo, he has appeared in a total of 73 regular-season games, earning starts in 19 of them. Additionally, Bates has contributed significantly in postseason play, featuring in nine playoff games, with four of those contests seeing him in the starting lineup.
During the 2022 season, Bates took on the role of the Bills' starting right guard for a substantial portion of the campaign, showcasing his versatility and effectiveness in anchoring the offensive line. However, following a restructuring of his contract last year, he transitioned into a reserve role for the team.
Despite his shift to a backup role, Bates remains a valuable asset for any team, boasting experience and versatility along the offensive line. His contract with the Bills extends through the 2025 season, providing the Bears with a player under team control for the foreseeable future as they look to bolster their offensive front.
(Inputs from Reuters)
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