The Buffalo Bills have restructured wide receiver Stefon Diggs' contract. Might they be preparing to make a run at Zach Ertz?
Field Yates of ESPN reported the Bills converted over $11.7 million of Diggs' base salary into a signing bonus. The move creates over $7.8 million in additional cap space.
The Bills converted $11,718,333 of WR Stefon Diggs' base salary into a signing bonus, creating $7,812,222 in 2021 cap space, per source.
A good chunk of cap space for Buffalo to work with as the season draws closer.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 1, 2021
The timing of the move is interesting, particularly considering there are whispers Ertz could move this week.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported the Philadelphia Eagles are having “ongoing” trade talks regarding their star tight end, adding “At least three TE-needy teams” have made inquiries.
Talks on a potential Zach Ertz trade have been ongoing for quite some time but fairly quiet of late. At least three TE-needy teams have looked into this. Eagles have made clear they won't part for nothing in return, making a release unlikely. Things could pick back up this week.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) June 1, 2021
There is at least some reason to believe the Bills could be one of those three teams.
Buffalo had one of the top passing attacks in the NFL last season, ranking third in passing yards. However, Dawson Knox and Tyler Kroft combined for just over 400 yards on 36 receptions combined.
Perhaps the Bills feel adding a seam-heavy threat like Ertz could make their passing attack that much more dangerous and open up the field for Diggs and some of the other receivers.
Ertz had just 36 receptions for 335 yards in 11 games this past season, but was named to the Pro Bowl in three consecutive seasons between 2017 and 2019. He can make plays settling into soft spots in the middle of defensive zones and is a threat in the red zone.
Part of the challenge for the Eagles–in terms of moving Ertz–is his $12.7 million cap hit. That said, the Bills might be willing to take on his salary after clearing room by restructuring Diggs' deal.
It's something to keep an eye on, at the very least.
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