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http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/b...ine-receiver-sammy-watkins-fifth-year-option/
Three years ago, the Buffalo Bills traded their first-round pick, along with their first and fourth-round picks the following year, to move up five spots in the 2014 draft and select Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who was considered the best receiver in the class.
Watkins went on to set franchise rookie records with 65 catches for 982 yards during his first season in the NFL, and also scored six touchdowns. He's struggled with repeated foot injuries since then, though, and hasn't quite progressed as the Bills expected when they surrendered so much value to get him on their team.
And so, on Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Bills will not pick up the fifth-year option on Watkins' rookie contract.
Because he was the No. 4 overall pick, Watkins would have been in line for a fifth-year option salary of $19,935,603, per Spotrac. Given his significant health issues (he's played only 21 of 36 games the last two years and has had two surgeries on it) and relatively stagnant production, it's not a surprise the Bills aren't willing to pay him that much money.
With new leadership in place at head coach (former Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott) and general manager (TBD), it's certainly possible the organization now feels less loyalty to Watkins than before and could look elsewhere. Then again, there's nothing stopping them from giving him a new contract (or just using the franchise tag) next season if he stays healthy and productive this season. They just didn't want to be on the hook for nearly $20 million if that didn't work out.
Three years ago, the Buffalo Bills traded their first-round pick, along with their first and fourth-round picks the following year, to move up five spots in the 2014 draft and select Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who was considered the best receiver in the class.
Watkins went on to set franchise rookie records with 65 catches for 982 yards during his first season in the NFL, and also scored six touchdowns. He's struggled with repeated foot injuries since then, though, and hasn't quite progressed as the Bills expected when they surrendered so much value to get him on their team.
And so, on Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Bills will not pick up the fifth-year option on Watkins' rookie contract.
Because he was the No. 4 overall pick, Watkins would have been in line for a fifth-year option salary of $19,935,603, per Spotrac. Given his significant health issues (he's played only 21 of 36 games the last two years and has had two surgeries on it) and relatively stagnant production, it's not a surprise the Bills aren't willing to pay him that much money.
With new leadership in place at head coach (former Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott) and general manager (TBD), it's certainly possible the organization now feels less loyalty to Watkins than before and could look elsewhere. Then again, there's nothing stopping them from giving him a new contract (or just using the franchise tag) next season if he stays healthy and productive this season. They just didn't want to be on the hook for nearly $20 million if that didn't work out.
