Report: Patriots losing out on free-agent OL who visited team originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Several players have visited the New England Patriots in NFL free agency this offseason. But not many are actually joining the team.
Buffalo Bills offensive guard Ryan Bates intends to sign an offer sheet from the Chicago Bears, The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs reported Thursday. Bates is a restricted free agent, so the Bills will have five days to match Chicago’s offer sheet and keep him in Buffalo. If they don’t, Bates will land with the Bears.
Either way, the 25-year-old isn’t headed to New England, which hosted Bates for a free-agent visit last week.
Bates has started just four games for the Bills over three NFL seasons, but all four of those starts came in 2021, when he flashed promising upside on an elite Buffalo offense.
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