The Buffalo Bills have a number of personnel decisions to make before the NFL free agency period begins on March 12, including what the team will decide to do in the future regarding quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
According to ESPN.com, the team gave an update on some of their offseason questions, including about the contract status of guard Andy Levitre, who is set to become a free agent. General manager Buddy Nix said to ESPN that the team is working on a deal with the guard and that the future of Ryan Fitzpatrick is still in question.
"I don't know," Nix told The Associated Press when asked if the team had reached any decisions regarding Levitre and Fitzpatrick. "We're still in the process of working on it." Nix spoke to reporters while attending the University at Buffalo football program pro scouting day held at the Bills' facility, according to the AP.
Nix is hoping to sign Levitre, who has been one of the most valuable players for the team over the past few seasons while being a four-year starter. The Bills had one of the best rushing offenses in the league last year behind running backs CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson and the team would like to retain the guard.
When asked about Fitzpatrick, Nix played coy about whether the team will try restructure his six-year $59 million contract. The quarterback is set to make a $3 million roster bonus and the Bills would like to open up some salary cap space before the league year begins.
"Any talking, I'll do with him," Nix said to reporters.
The Bills have given various indications about what they will do with Fitzpatrick, as new head coach Doug Marrone said the quarterback and backup Tavaris Jackson said he wanted both players to cmpete for the starting job heading into 2013.
Nix gave mixed messages after that at the NFL scouting combine and since the Bills have very little salary cap space and Fitzpatrick is coming off of a disappointing season, the team may use that as leverage to have him restructure. The team has about $7 million left to work with after using the franchise tag on safety Jairius Byrd, although there is a chance they could sign him to a long-term deal later on.
The Bills could decide to try and trade Fitzpatrick for draft picks or another quarterback to have compete with Jackson, including names like Tim Tebow, Carson Palmer or Matt Cassel with the Kansas City Chiefs, who acquired Alex Smith from the 49ers and now have a backup that is expendable.
Buffalo could also try to target a quarterback in the draft, including names like Matt Barkley, Geno Smith or other prospects like Mike Glennon, EJ Manuel and Matt Scott. Smith could be available since the Chiefs are likely to use their number one overall pick on a lineman or defensive player.
The Bills have been stuck in the bottom of the AFC East for a number of years and finished 6-10 last season, the same record as the New York Jets. Fitzpatrick led the team with 3,400 yards and 24 touchdowns, but he also had 16 interceptions while the team ranked 25th in passing offense.
Buffalo has needs in a range of areas after finishing 31st in rushing yards allowed and the draft could be a good way of bringing in more depth and talent. Fitzpatrick could net some draft picks for the team and if the Bills trade him for another starter, they can focus on other positions of need.
