The Buffalo Bills finished 2017 on a disappointing note after some initial glimmers of hope. Some fans, including me, saw enough potential in the team to believe that they would make the playoffs. But the Bills were bogged down by the hopelessly inept Rex Ryan, whose defense was one of the worst in the league in 2016. But there were certain players who did manage to have great seasons within the Rex Ryan defense. One of those players was Buffalo Bills linebacker Zach Brown.
A One Year Deal.
The Buffalo Bills signed former Titans linebacker Zach Brown to a one year deal to bolster depth at the linebacker position.
After second round pick Reggie Ragland went down with an injury that would cause him to miss the season, Brown immediately stepped into a starting role. And the transition was seamless. Brown had no issues figuring out how to play with a team that he had been with for less than a year.
A Pro Bowl Season.
The Buffalo Bills linebacker made the Pro Bowl for the first time after an unbelievable season in which he recorded 149 tackles, the second best mark in the NFL. On October second, Brown had a fantastic game against the New England Patriots in which he collected a career high seventeen tackles. Brown was excellent in pursuit and also was a solid pass defender. But he was only signed to a one year deal, which prompts a question.
Should the Buffalo Bills Keep Him?
The Bills will get second round pick Reggie Ragland back in 2017 and still have starter Preston Brown under contract and on the roster. When Buffalo signed Brown, they were expecting him to be a backup behind those two players. Brown quickly proved that he is more than capable of being a starter in a NFL defense with his solid season.
Now Buffalo has to decide if they can afford him. Questions about cornerback Stephon Gilmore and quarterback Tyrod Taylor abound. The Bills have lots of free agents who will either leave or sign with the team. And Buffalo doesn't have a ton of cap space to spend. Zach Brown might not be a Bill right now, but the Bills would be foolish to watch a 27 year old Pro Bowl level linebacker walk away after one great season.
