Bills, Robert Woods Reunion? Why Free Agent Signing Makes Sense

Approaching age 31, Robert Woods doesn't exactly have time to mess around and sign with a non-contender, making the Buffalo Bills an interesting potential landing spot for the veteran.

During what can be considered some as a dry point of the NFL offseason as the league waits for March to roll around, players that are cut prior to the start of the new league year often have their name thrown around, with constant speculation growing of how their talents could benefit any one of the 32 teams.

The Buffalo Bills are no exception to this, both for free agency and trade rumors. The team has been involved in sudden Derrick Henry trade gossip that is (at least for now) unlikely to come to fruition.

And when Henry's Tennessee Titans released veteran receiver and former Bill Robert Woods on Wednesday, the free agency ideas came alive once again. But this time, it's an idea that could be a much more real possibility for the Bills based on need and circumstance.

With both Gabe Davis and Isaiah McKenzie set to enter free agency next offseason, the Bills are in need of a strong No. 2 receiver behind Stefon Diggs for the sake of the team's future. Buffalo has already seen flashes of what Khaili Shakir can do, as he had spurts of solid play during his rookie year this past season. The team could also use its No. 27 overall pick in April's draft to select a can't-miss receiver, but Buffalo's first-round approach is still anyone's guess.

But adding Woods, who was a second-round pick by Buffalo in 2013, would bring another veteran to an already older Bills team that remains in Super Bowl-or-bust mode. For a locker room that was a bit emotionally unstable by seasons end, Woods could provide a key balance of both elite on-field production and vet leadership.

Though Woods' numbers this past season were some of the worst of his career - he found himself stuck in a run-heavy offense that averaged the third-fewest passing yards (171.4) while leaning on the legs of the aforementioned Henry - his most recent full-opportunity campaign was some of the best football he's ever played.

As a slot receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, Woods flourished from the 2018 through 2020 seasons. Back-to-back 1,000-yards seasons in 2018 and 2019 preceded an eight-touchdown finish a year later.

Woods tore his ACL nine games into LA's championship-winning season in 2021. By the time the 2023 campaign starts, it will have nearly been three years since we saw Woods at full strength on an offense that was least somewhat capable of tossing the rock.

If the Bills were to bring Woods back, it could be doing both sides a favor. Buffalo would add a win-now piece to take the No. 3 receiver role behind Diggs and Davis while Woods would be back with a contender again after a frustrating 2022 season. Approaching age 31, Woods doesn't exactly have time to mess around and sign with a non-contender.

The dominoes could be lining up perfectly for the Bills, though it's hardly anyone's guess what Woods will ultimately decide.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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