As first reported by ESPN’s Mike Rodak, the Los Angeles Rams have extended an offer sheet to Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Ryan Groy.
Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (an authority on contract figures) is reporting that the two-year deal is worth $5 million, with a base salary of $1.5 million in each season.
According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today, the Rams are willing to pay $3.5M guaranteed, $2.5M of which comes from his $1.5M salary in 2017 and a $1M signing bonus. There’s also a 2018 signing bonus if Groy is on the roster in a week.
The Bills have five days to match the Rams’ offer. Since Groy was an undrafted free agent and the Bills tendered him at the lowest value, they will receive no compensation if they decide to pass.
The Rams have a gaping hole on the depth chart at center. Last year’s starter, Tim Barnes, was released with one year left on his deal earlier this month. The Rams’ new offensive line coach is Aaron Kromer, who coached Groy in Buffalo last year and is entirely aware of his abilities.
Groy, 26, proved in seven games last year that he’s more than capable of starting at center in the NFL. However, the Bills have a starting center entrenched on the line in Eric Wood. While Wood is entering a contract year, it’s hard to envision him playing anywhere else past next year, and at 30 he should still have a few good years left.
It’s hard to see the Bills matching this offer. While it’s fair market value for Groy (probably a bit on the lower side), he doesn’t really have a spot in Buffalo to earn that money unless someone ends up on injured reserve again. Given the needs that remain at other positions, notably wide receiver and defensive back, it’s hard to justify the team sinking starter money into a backup position.