The Buffalo Bills lost Jordan Phillips to the Arizona Cardinals, but they are replacing him with another formidable interior defender. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Buffalo is signing Vernon Butler to a two-year deal worth nearly $16 million.
Buffalo isn’t done. Former #Panthers first-round DT Vernon Butler is headed to the #Bills, source said. He gets two years for roughly $16M on a deal that can be worth up to $18M. Of that, $9.3M is guaranteed. Another Carolina to BUF connection…
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2020
Once again, the Bills are signing a player that has spent time with the Carolina Panthers. Of course, Brandon Beane — the GM of the Bills — was with Carolina from 2008-2016.
Therefore, Beane was the assistant general manager of the Panthers when Butler was selected by Carolina in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. In his first three seasons in the NFL, Butler didn't receive many opportunities to showcase his talents.
In light of that, the former first-round pick compiled a total of two sacks and three tackles for loss in his first three seasons. Then, in his first season as a starter in 2019, Butler flashed some potential with the Panthers.
While starting in nine games, Butler contributed a career-high six sacks, seven tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles this past season. After a breakout season in 2019, Carolina chose to let him test free agency this offseason.
Now, Butler gets to reunite with Star Lotulelei — who he played with in Carolina from 2016-2017. Besides Lotulelei and Butler, the Bills also have Ed Oliver anchoring the interior of the defensive line.
With the news of Tom Brady leaving the AFC East, the Bills are beginning to build a team that can compete for the division title in 2020. After signing Butler, it's apparent Buffalo is building a menacing defensive line for next season.
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