Charles Clay is looking for a new home in the NFL. On Friday, the Buffalo Bills announced that they have released the veteran tight end.
Clay was entering the final season of a five-year, $38 million contract he signed with Buffalo in 2015. He was an extremely reliable target for the Bills during his first three campaigns with the team, with 51 catches and 528 yards in 2015, 57 catches and 552 yards in 2016, and 49 catches for 558 yards in 2017. But Clay was marginalized a season ago, in part due to his team's unsteady quarterback play, finishing 2018 with just 21 catches for 184 yards, failing to score a touchdown for the first time in his career.
The 6-foot-3, 255-pounder entered the league in 2011 after four standout seasons at the University of Tulsa, where he lined up as a running back, tight end, and wide receiver. The Miami Dolphins drafted him in the sixth round of the 2011 draft, converting him to H-back upon his arrival. Though never quite worthy of Pro Bowl consideration in Miami, Clay was nevertheless a valuable part of the team's passing and rushing attacks.
He notched career-highs across the board in 2013 with 69 catches, 759 receiving yards, and six touchdowns while also carrying the ball on seven occasions – the only time he's ever gotten the chance to show off his skills running the football in the NFL.
At 30, Clay is clearly on the downside of his eight-year career. Given his experience, versatility, and toughness, though, there's probably still a place for him in the NFL behind a team's starting tight end.
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