Bills Links, 3/9: A crazy day of trade speculation in Buffalo

The Buffalo Bills almost pulled off a trade for Antonio Brown, according to multiple reports on Friday. Today’s links include plenty of reaction to the near-trade, in a deal that seems to have fallen apart late in the process. Today’s links include plenty of additional information on free agency, the NFL draft and so much more.

What the Antonio Brown non-deal says about the Buffalo Bills - WKBW
The Buffalo Bills were in the middle of the huge headlines on Friday morning after reportedly almost trading for star wide receiver Antonio Brown. The deal wasn't made, but it also helps provide perspective on the Bills, their GM, and what lengths they'll go to add to the roster.

The Antonio Brown trade that never was - The Bills Beat with Joe B. and Matthew Fairburn
After a rip-roaring eight hours of overnight wondering whether or not the Bills actually had traded for Pittsburgh WR Antonio Brown, the window was slammed shut when GM Brandon Beane said they were moving on.

Sorting through the Antonio Brown drama... | WGR 550 SportsRadio
What happened overnight? What's next?

Bills ‘move on’ after trade talks with Steelers for Antonio Brown – The Buffalo News
"The Buffalo Bills inquired about a trade for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, but have now moved on, GM Brandon Beane said in a statement early Friday."

Antonio Brown traded to the Bills? Twitter reacts to conflicting reports | NewYorkUpstate.com
Check out a collection of funny and not-so-funny Twitter reactions.

Statement from Brandon Beane on Antonio Brown - BuffaloBills.com
Bills general manager Brandon Beane issued the following statement on trade talks with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Antonio Brown trade: Why talks with Bills fell through | SI.com
The Steelers’ efforts to move Antonio Brown are growing more and more complicated—and not just because the star wide receiver wants to be the highest paid at his position.

Unraveling the Antonio Brown-Bills saga: What it says about Brandon Beane and why they’re likely better off – The Athletic
Brown essentially gave the middle finger to the Bills as the near-trade unfolded Friday, and with it Buffalo may have dodged a bullet. (Subscription required.)

The Sports Bar-Matthew Fairburn | ESPN Rochester 95.7 FM
Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic joins Danger and Battaglia in The Sports Bar to break down the last 24 hours and how the Buffalo Bills almost landed Antonio Brown in a trade.

Additional News and Notes

Buffalo Bills interested in acquiring pass-rusher Frank Clark (report) - newyorkupstate.com
The Athletic's Jay Glazer named the Bills as one team inquiring about Frank Clark's services.

NFL free-agency predictions: Matching teams with the top 50 players – The Athletic
The Bills get busy in these free-agent projections. (Subscription required.)

Why C Matt Paradis makes sense for the Buffalo Bills - WKBW
The Buffalo Bills are now just a week away from the start of free agency, and are still in desperate need for a big upgrade at center.

Buffalo Bills to pursue OT Daryl Williams in free agency (report) - newyorkupstate.com
The Bills could be looking to sign a former Carolina Panthers offensive tackle next week.

Five UFA linebackers who could fill roles for the Bills | WGR 550 SportsRadio
The Bills need depth at linebacker.

Why TE Maxx Williams makes sense for the Buffalo Bills - WKBW
The Buffalo Bills have many needs to address in the offseason, and tight end is right near the top. In free agency, though, the Bills might have to think outside the box.

NFL free agents 2019: Who could Jordan Phillips be recruiting to Buffalo Bills? | Daryl Williams, Ja'Wuan James, more | NewYorkUpstate.com
Jordan Phillips is doing his own recruiting for the Bills before the start of free agency.

PFF 2019 NFL Mock Draft 4 | NFL Draft news and analysis | Pro Football Focus
Pro Football Focus Senior Analyst Steve Palazzolo gives us his 2019 NFL Mock Draft 4.

Mock Draft Watch 4.0 - BuffaloBills.com
National media predict the Bills will draft this breakout star from the 2019 NFL Combine.

Beat Writer Mock Draft: With analysis from Dane Brugler – The Athletic
Our beat writers pick for their teams, and draft expert Dane Brugler offers his analysis. (Subscription required.)

‘It was a perfect storm’: How Jim Kelly’s USFL seasons changed the course of the Bills and pro football – The Athletic
While nobody knew it in 1983, Kelly giving the Bills the cold shoulder may have been the best thing for him, Buffalo and the NFL. (Subscription required.)

Featured on Buffalo Rumblings

One possible reason for the trade/no-trade reports around Antonio Brown and the Buffalo Bills - Buffalo Rumblings
Here’s one theory.

What does Antonio Brown interest mean for the Buffalo Bills’ process under Brandon Beane, Sean McDermott? - Buffalo Rumblings
"Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane have said since their arrival that the transition of the team from pretender to contender was going to be a process."

Antonio Brown wouldn’t play for Buffalo Bills after trade agreement with Pittsburgh Steelers, per report - Buffalo Rumblings
Despite "positive discussions," this deal apparently fell through because AB didn’t want to play for Bills.

Buffalo Bills general manager: Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antonio Brown is not coming - Buffalo Rumblings
Adam Schefter tweeted a direct quote from Brandon Beane Friday morning.