Quinton Spain, Buffalo Bills. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
The Buffalo Bills are retaining a key piece of their offensive line as Sean McDermott’s club has re-signed starting left guard Quinton Spain.
Last offseason, the Buffalo Bills addressed an area that was a severe trouble spot in 2018. General manager Brandon Beane was extremely busy during free agency in addressing an offensive line that caused then-rookie quarterback Josh Allen to lead the team in rushing yards…and not by design.
The team’s free-agent class of ’19 include center Mitch Morse, guard Jon Feliciano guard/center Spencer Long and tackle Ty Nsekhe as the team looked for starters and depth as well. Beane used a second-round draft choice on tackle Cody Ford.
The Bills also added former Tennessee Titans guard Quinton Spain via a one-year deal. And the four-year pro – a 16-game starter for Sean McDermott’s club this past season – performed so well this offseason that the club is bringing him back via a longer deal.
Contract Details
ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques reports that the veteran blocker has agreed to a three-year contract. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Spain’s new deal is worth $15 million.
National Reaction
With Spain anchoring the left guard spot all season, the Bills’ running game was much more efficient than the previous year. In 2018, quarterback Josh Allen led the club when it came to yards on the ground.
This past year, rookie Devin Singletary and veteran running back Frank Gore were the team’s top runners in terms of yards, although Allen had nine scores on the ground. Schuyler Callihan of Mountaineer Maven points out that the one-time University of West Virginia standout did not allow a sack this past season.
The team has also picked up the option on the versatile Long. And now Spain is in the mix for the next three years and at a very reasonable price. It bodes well for a club coming off its first 10-plus win season since 1999 and its second playoff appearance in three years.