Reports: mutual interest between Buffalo Bills, Lorenzo Alexander in returning

The Buffalo Bills defensive captains in 2018 are a pair of 35-year old veterans, gritty players who are equally valuable in the locker room and on the field. While one of those players announced his retirement effective at the end of this season, the other venerable veteran seems to be inching closer to returning in 2019.

Lorenzo Alexander and the Bills reportedly have mutual interest in reuniting for the 2019 season. Ryan Talbot of Syracuse.com first tweeted on December 16 about Alexander’s interest in returning, noting the mutual interest in a return but also stating that no official talks had begun at the time.

Today, Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News tweeted about a conversation he had with Bills general manager Brandon Beane. Skurski reports that Beane confirmed the Bills’ interest in the 35-year old Alexander, stating that ensuring Alexander’s return is even more important in the wake of Kyle Williams’s news on Friday, Buffalo’s stalwart veteran of thirteen seasons, announcing his retirement earlier in the day on Friday.

Alexander continues to defy Father Time, posting yet another outstanding season in what many assumed to be the twilight of his career. The veteran linebacker has 68 combined tackles on the season, 2 interceptions, 6.5 sacks, 9 pass breakups, 11 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. At present, his sack total leads the team, and if he remains on top, it would be the second time in his Bills’ career that he has led the team in that category, with the other coming in his first year with the team in 2016.

Alexander’s current contract, a two-year pact worth a combined $5.95 million, was signed after that season, which ended in a Pro Bowl nod (and Pro Bowl MVP honors, as well). If the two sides want to stay together, a one-year deal at a reasonable salary cap figure should be fairly easy to negotiate.