The Bills have added another asset to their offensive line, signing G David Edwards to a one-year deal.
Edwards explored the free agent market, but he was waiting on the team that felt like the right fit. So after sitting down with GM Brandon Beane, head coach Sean McDermott, OC Ken Dorsey, and OL coach Aaron Kromer, he felt that Buffalo had all the right parts to be a perfect opportunity for him and his family.
"When Buffalo came about, we just were really excited about that opportunity," Edwards said. "And we went out there, I went out there to visit and meet the people and it just solidified everything that I thought from afar. So, I was really looking for a good fit and a good opportunity. And I mean, there's no better opportunity than what I have right now with Buffalo."
Edwards, 26, saw firsthand the energy and talent that fills the Bills roster when they traveled to Los Angeles and kicked off the 2022 NFL season with a 31-10 victory over his former team, the Los Angeles Rams.
"You knew on film that they were really talented upfront, defensively, and they had a great quarterback and their offense," Edwards said. "So, for me, it was clear and obvious that this was a special team, a special group. And then obviously getting the chance to visit, you see the special people. So, I think that's what makes it great too is not only to have great players, great coaches, a great team, but they also have awesome people in the building too."
The guard played four games with the Rams last season. However, he was sidelined from Week 6 until the end of the regular season due to an injury. But now that he's cleared to play, he's excited to block for Bills QB Josh Allen.
"I can't put into words how excited I am, and just seeing the things he's able to do," Edwards said. "I've played against him twice now standing on the sideline, and especially in that 2020 game when he orchestrated that last drive to win the game versus us. Some of the stuff he did throughout that game, but on that drive, you're just like, 'holy crap, this guy's incredible'. So really excited to get to play with him."
L.A. was home to the offensive lineman since the Rams drafted him in the 5th round in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin. Since Edwards became a Ram, he has appeared in 54 games and started in 46, recovered two fumbles, and was part of the Rams' Super Bowl winning team in 2021.
During the past four seasons, he showcased versatility by lining up at both right guard and left guard. That versatility came out right away during his rookie year thanks to Coach Kromer, who coached Edwards in L.A. for two seasons. Edwards started at left guard and then got switched to right guard two games later, and he credits Kromer for teaching him the technique and fundamentals of playing at different positions on the offensive line.
"I think it was a blessing for me to be able to learn how to play those positions with Kromer teaching because so much goes into playing o-line and whether or not you're playing left tackle, right tackle, any of the positions right," Edwards said. "There are very few guys in this league that can just stay at one position their entire career. So, me getting that exposure at such a young part of my career, I think was invaluable."
Edwards, who's from Downers Grove, IL, gave up just six sacks in 2021, tied for sixth-best among offensive linemen that season. Now, he's looking forward to getting back on the record books next season and helping the Bills find success on the field in whatever role that may look like.
"I just said to them, I'm willing to play whatever position you want," Edwards said. "But I would imagine one of the guard spots, we talked about the guard spots, and then just the best five are gonna play. So that was really what we talked about, and I'm excited to come in and compete and earn a job."
