The Bills have been active around the free agency window in 2015, securing players by extension, new contract or trade.
The Bills addressed the contract situations of three exclusive rights free agents on March 5. Buffalo tendered DT Corbin Bryant, WR Justin Brown and WR Chris Hogan.
It went right up to the 11th hour, but a day before the free agent market opened free agent DE Jerry Hughes re-signed with the Bills agreeing to a new multi-year contract. The pass rusher flew to Buffalo on Sunday after contract negotiations made significant progress between the two sides over the weekend.
Buffalo signed kickoff specialist Jordan Gay to a multi-year extension on March 9. Last season, Gay's first with the Bills, he finished ninth in the league in touchback percentage with a success rate of 60.5 percent, improving the team's touchback rate almost 20 percent from 2013 (41.5%) when Buffalo ranked 24th in the league.
The Bills announced on March 10 that Cassel and an undisclosed draft choice had been acquired from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for undisclosed draft choices. Cassel comes to Buffalo after spending the past two seasons in Minnesota, playing in 12 games for the Vikings while completing 194-of-325 pass attempts for 2,232 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Buffalo finalized a player-for-player trade that landed McCoy in Buffalo and sent LB Kiko Alonso to the Eagles on March 10. "I think for every athlete, getting traded comes with a feeling of anger," McCoy said. "I was definitely angry about the trade. I was there for six years. But then to see how much the Bills showed that they wanted me with the contract extending me here. You want to play for a franchise like that."
A power running game needs a fullback so Buffalo didn't waste any time bringing Minnesota free agent Jerome Felton into the fold. "It was first class all the way and they let me know their intentions from the get-go," said Felton. "There was a lot of excitement around it and I know I'm wanted here and I feel good about it and I'm just ready to be a Buffalo Bill."
The Bills made no secret that they would have to add two quarterbacks to the roster. Just three days into free agency Buffalo completed the mission. After acquiring veteran Matt Cassel in a trade with Minnesota, the Bills signed free agent QB Tyrod Taylor on March 12.
Buffalo formally announced that they have signed veteran defensive tackle Kyle Williams to a contract extension on March 13. The 31-year old is coming off his fourth Pro Bowl season in which he racked up 41 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 15 quarterback hits and eight tackles for loss. Williams has tallied 34.5 sacks in his career—the most by any defensive tackle in Bills team history.
A special teams coverage ace for the Bills the past two seasons, led the Bills in special teams tackles in 2013 and 2014.
Wynn, 27, who was originally signed as a free agent by the Bills last April, re-signed in Buffalo on March 14. He appeared in 11 games for Buffalo in 2014 logging 18 tackles, 2.5 sacks and five quarterback hits.
It's been a very busy first week of free agency for the Bills, but the pace has not slowed at all. Buffalo added another free agent for their offense in the second week signing WR Percy Harvin.
Clay has started 47-of-58 games that he has played in his four-year career for the Dolphins, catching 161 passes for 1,809 yards and 14 touchdowns.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - LeSean McCoy has a new lead blocker in Buffalo after the Bills signed fullback Jerome Felton.
Newly acquired quarterback Matt Cassel is eager to begin competing with EJ Manuel for the starting job. Free-agent receiver Percy Harvin arrived in Buffalo for a visit.
Also, defensive tackle Kyle Williams agreed to a one-year contract extension to free up salary-cap space in the event Buffalo makes more additions.
And that was just Wednesday.
The frenetic pace has reflected a busy offseason in Buffalo. That's where new coach Rex Ryan and new owners Terry and Kim Pegula are taking an aggressive approach to build a contender and end the team's 15-season playoff drought.
''You guys tired of seeing me yet?'' general manager Doug Whaley joked, as he stepped to the podium to introduce Cassel. ''I've been working.''
Over the past eight days, Whaley has made two trades - acquiring McCoy from Philadelphia and Cassel from Minnesota - re-signed defensive end Jerry Hughes and further bulked up the Bills running attack by signing Felton to a contract.
And he might not be done yet. Aside from bringing in Harvin for a visit, the Bills have hosted tight end Charles Clay with the hope of luring him away from Miami.
Clay is a free agent, though the Dolphins have the right to match any offers after awarding the player a transition tag last week. The move ensured that Clay will make at least $7 million this season.
''The way we look at it is, if we try to do something like that, it's to put your best foot forward and hope for the best,'' Whaley said, referring to Clay, who arrived in Buffalo to meet with team officials and tour the city on Tuesday.
The Bills freed up a tight end spot on Wednesday by releasing returning starter Scott Chandler.
The level of activity has not been lost on Bills veterans and newcomers.
''A whole new vibe,'' Hughes said Monday. ''Everybody's excited in the building.''
Felton can sense it, too.
''It shows they're serious about winning,'' he said during his introductory news conference. ''It's just an exciting time to be a Buffalo Bill. The fans can be rest assured in knowing that we're here to win now and that's the only option.''
Felton is a seven-year veteran who spent the past three seasons in Minnesota. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2012, when he helped Vikings running back Adrian Peterson earn NFL MVP honors with 2,097 yards rushing.
Now he'll be opening holes for McCoy as part of a run-oriented offense being installed by incoming coordinator Greg Roman.
''I told him, `Life is going to get easier now.''' Felton said of meeting McCoy.
The Bills offense finished 26th last season, and managed 1,482 yards rushing, the team's lowest total in a 16-game season.
Then there's Cassel, a 10-year journeyman, who spent the past two seasons in Minnesota. He brings experience to Buffalo and will be given an opportunity to compete with Manuel.
''You have to earn every opportunity you get,'' Cassel said. ''I know that EJ's here, and he's a young and talented player. And I expect that there's going to be a competition.''
Cassel has a 33-38 career record, and twice won 10 games in a season. He went 10-5 with New England in 2008, in taking over after Tom Brady sustained a season-ending knee injury. And Cassel also went 10-5 with Kansas City in 2010.
Inconsistency and injuries have hampered Cassel. He opened last year as the Vikings starter before breaking his left foot three games into the season.
Buffalo provides him a chance for a fresh start.
Bills President Russ Brandon is cautiously encouraged by the team's offseason additions.
