While the Buffalo Bills monitor the ongoing situation with running back LeSean McCoy, they have other pressing needs to take care of before free agency begins. One of those needs is determining the future of wide receiver Percy Harvin who has been a bust for the team since arriving. Harvin played in just a handful of games last year and ended his season early with hip and knee issues. Now the team has to make a call as to whether or not he is worth bringing back.
The clock is ticking to make a move for Harvin. According to Sal Capaccio of WGR 550, at 4 p.m. on Friday, Harvin's contract is set to void meaning the remaining two years on his deal get erased. Harvin was set to earn $9 million in 2016 and 2017 and the Bills had no plans on paying the receiver that money. Capaccio reports that the Bills are unlikely to make any sort of move before these two years get wiped away, but that does not mean Harvin is gone forward.
The receiver was originally signed in 2015 with the intention that he and Sammy Watkins would form a dynamic duo on the field. Instead, Harvin played in just five games and had rumors of retirement circle around his name. Since getting drafted, he has played in just 28 games for three different teams over four years. History is not in Harvin's favor and the Bills must figure out what to do with his future and if he can be a valuable member of the team.
"I can speak more for myself for our team, and I don't want to put words into the coaches' mouth about what they might think what they need," director of player personnel Jim Monos said on "The John Murphy Show" on WGR 550. "I think Doug [Whaley] talked about it and I'll talk about, I'd like to see us get [another receiver]. Percy Harvin was supposed to be a big help for us and we're still not sure what's going on. He's got to make some decisions here coming up. We need to get somebody opposite of Sammy [Watkins] to be a real threat to that defense. I think that's a big key for our offense, to take one more step."
Whaley told the media that he would not be opposed to bring Harvin back, but the receiver would have to agree to a cheaper contract than what he originally signed. The Bills will also seek upgrades in the draft or free agency. With Watkins penciled in as the No.1 guy, the team will look for options like Rishard Matthews, Jermaine Kearse and Marvin Jones to add to the mix while Josh Doctson, Will Fuller and Braxton Miller could all be options in the draft.
It is unclear what the future of McCoy holds in Buffalo, but right now it appears Harvin will be out. The Bills are trying to build a top-rated offense for Tyrod Taylor to work with in 2016 and Harvin no longer fits that mold.