The Buffalo Bills have the second-most cap space in the NFL this offseason. Will they be able to attract the best talent in football by waving dollars in the air? No. That’s not how it works for a small-market team.
However, that does not mean the Bills cannot snag quality talent on a one-year rental. They have a chance to draw in free agents thanks to the potential of Josh Allen. The rookie gunslinger showed enough prowess last season that free-agent wide receivers should at least spare a glance at Western New York. With Zay Jones improving after his rookie campaign ended in a slump, it’s clear that his and Josh Allen’s development would best improve with the help of a veteran wide receiver. No one on the market fits that role better than Golden Tate.
Already a Super Bowl champion, Tate now has experience with three NFC teams, the latest being the Philadelphia Eagles before a failed championship repeat. Tate will be 31 before the regular season begins in the fall. He could be looking for a big one-year deal.
Tate had just four touchdowns last season between the Detroit Lions and Eagles, but neither team was in a position to meet his play style. Quarterback Matt Stafford has remained uneven in his NFL career and Nick Foles took the reigns yet again, but found Tate in the end zone only once in eight games.
The one-time Pro Bowler has the experience and enough explosiveness left in the tank to not only be a successful mentor, but to actually make an impact. Tate’s attitude would presumably not come close to estranged former wideout Kelvin Benjamin, something that will help Allen grow rather than lose confidence. Allen’s arm complimented with Tate’s immediate positive impact on the field could complete an equation that results in a successful playoff push.
Most importantly, Buffalo is no stranger to signing veteran wide receivers to one-year deals. The Bills have a track record under general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott with the two-week stint that was the Anquan Boldin fallout.
Buffalo is the perfect place for Tate to take a one-year hiatus from the rest of the NFL. He can make the money his talent deserves, improve a rebuilding franchise and its young quarterback, and prepare himself for the rest of his career elsewhere (if he wants).