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ESPN's Josina Anderson is reporting that the Buffalo Bills remain interested in Miami Dolphins tight end Charles Clay in free agency, even though the Dolphins used the transition tag on Clay earlier this week.
Source: The #Bills have interest in Dolphins starting TE Charles Clay. Team placed a transition tag on Clay, allows right to match offers.
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 7, 2015
Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News was the first to report the Bills' interest in Clay, but that report came prior to Miami's using the transition tag. That designation, like the franchise tag, gives the Dolphins the right to match any offer Clay receives on the open market - but unlike the franchise tag, if the Dolphins choose not to match, they receive no compensation for letting Clay walk.
Clay, 25, is entering his fifth pro season in 2015, and was a sixth-round pick of the Dolphins in 2011. In his four seasons with Miami, in which he emerged as their starter over the past two years, Clay caught 161 passes for 1,809 yards and 14 touchdowns. The 6'3", 255-pound former college fullback has the type of schematic versatility and seam-stretching athleticism that would make him a highly valuable addition to the Greg Roman offense.
Per the terms of the NFL's rules, the Bills are currently able to talk to Clay's representatives about a contract - but any agreed-upon deal would not be able to be signed until 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 10, and only if the Dolphins find it too rich.