Keeping Richie Incognito means that the Bills won’t lose two veteran interior offensive linemen this offseason. That’s why Buffalo restructured Incognito’s contract on Thursday, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Incognito is 34 years old, but he’s durable. He played in all 16 games for Buffalo last season. But he was carrying a hefty cap hit of $7.57 million this season. By restructuring him instead of cutting him, the Bills will save some cash and avoid a $1.15 million dead money hit.
Why would the Bills restructure Incognito?
It’s all about the money. The Bills have about $32 million to fill the rest of their needs this offseason. That’s not a ton when you’re talking about filling holes to keep the momentum the Bills built last year when they snapped a 17-year postseason drought.
Incognito has had some run-ins with other players and the league. He was investigated in 2014 by the NFL for harassing former teammate Jonathan Martin when both were with the Miami Dolphins. The NFL launched another investigation this postseason when Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue alleged that Incognito directed racist slurs at him during the wild card matchup between the Bills and Jaguars.
But the league will not punish Incognito for that incident, and it didn’t impact Incognito’s standing with the Bills. He’s been reliable for them and his play hasn’t declined with age.
Replacing one veteran offensive lineman, with the unexpected retirement of center Eric Wood due to health concerns surrounding a neck injury, is enough for the team to manage this offseason.
The Bills did sign AJ McCarron, but they also traded Tyrod Taylor to the Browns and it seems like they’re hoping to move up in the first round to get one of this year’s top quarterback prospects. It would have been nearly impossible to do that and find quality replacements for both Incognito and wood.