Chicago Bears agree to trade with Buffalo Bills for OL Ryan Bates

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Chicago Bears have finally landed offensive lineman Ryan Bates.

The Bears agreed to trade a fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for Bates, 27. The teams announced the deal Monday evening.

This decision is pending a medical review and will not become official until the start of the new NFL business year on March 13.

Chicago attempted to acquire Bates while he was a restricted free agent in 2022, signing him to an offer sheet. But the Bills retained Bates by matching the Bears’ four-year, $17 million contract offer.

Bates is entering his sixth season in the NFL. He is known for his versatility and ability to play different positions along the line.

Serving as a backup last season, he was limited to 35 snaps because Buffalo’s offensive line remained healthy throughout the season. This was a change from 2022, when Bates made 15 starts, 13 at right guard and two more at center.

The Bears have three offensive linemen eligible for free agency next week, including starter Lucas Patrick and Cody Whitehair, whose playing time declined over the latter half of last season.

The trade allows the salary-cap-strapped Bills to free up about $1.4 million in payroll. Buffalo entered the offseason projected to hit an NFL-high $44 million against the cap hit in 2024.

Bates was an undrafted free agent out of Penn State in 2019, and he was acquired by Buffalo in a trade with Philadelphia that summer. He has 19 starts in 73 career games.

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