When the Bills signed Zach Brown to a one year deal in 2016, the team wasn't quite sure what they were getting. Brown was signed for just $1.25 million contract and was expected to be a backup for second round pick Reggie Ragland. When Ragland went down with an injury prior to the start of the season, Brown became the expected starter alongside linebacker Preston Brown.
Zach Brown's 2016 Season.
The Bills got way more than they were expecting from the Titans linebacker in 2016. His Pro Bowl season saw him lead the NFL in tackles through the first few weeks of the year.
He finished the 2016 NFL season with 149 tackles, 2nd in the NFL behind the Seahawks Bobby Wagner. Brown was one of the most effective players on the Bills defense and his statistical contributions prove it. Now will the Bills retain him?
Does it Make Sense for Bills to Keep Brown?
New head coach Sean McDermott had no previous ties to linebacker Zach Brown. He likely wants to implement his own defensive system, and there may not be a place for Brown on defense, especially given their limited cap space. But it would be a mistake to let the talented linebacker walk after he proved his high level of talent last season.
Second round pick Reggie Ragland will come back in 2017 and contribute to a defense that could use some help at the linebacker position.
If the Bills retain Brown, they will have a solid linebacker core that also includes Preston Brown. His price tag has gone up significantly, but it makes sense for Buffalo to keep him in 2017. If they don't, another rival team, like the Dolphins, could sign him.
Dolphins Will Sign Zach if Bills unable to.
The talented linebacker visited Miami earlier in the offseason and the two sides appear to have genuine interest in each other.
The Dolphins signed Kiko Alonso to a three year, $25 million dollar extension, but that doesn't prohibit them from entering the Zach Brown sweepstakes. Although the two sides are reportedly not close to a deal, it doesn't mean that Miami won't eventually offer a deal that works for both sides.
The Bills would be foolish to allow one of their best defensive players in recent memory leave the team as one of the best current free agents in the league. If the Bills don't sign him, someone else will.
