He's been a valuable backup running back for the Bills for the last couple of years. And veteran Tashard Choice says he is ready to return.
Choice announced Friday night that he's agreed to term on a new deal to stay with the Bills. The unrestricted free agent tweeted out the news first, and then reiterated it moments later in an appearance on The John Murphy Show.
Choice said his agent had been talking to other NFL teams, but he wanted to stay in Buffalo.
"I told him, Buddy Nix and all the guys in the organization, my teammates, are really good people," he said. "I really like the people in Buffalo. I told him, Coach Marrone wanted me back, so that's good."
"We start offseason conditioning next week, so I told him I want to be there to be with my teammates and get back with them, and see how we can get this thing rolling this year."
Choice said he especially likes playing in Buffalo, in front of Bills fans at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
"It's loud. It's loud. And they're all Bills fans. I love it."
Choice proved his value to the team last September, when he was called upon to replace an injured C.J. Spiller early on in the Bills game at Cleveland. Buffalo went into the game with Fred Jackson already sidelined. Choice, a product of Georgia Tech, got 91-yards on 20-carries in relief of Spiller, and also caught two passes.
"It was a good day," Choice said. "I put in the work. Whenever your name is called, in a situation like that, you have to step up. When they see that you can do that, it gives them trust. It gives coaches trust, it gives teammates trust. Because they see you know what you're doing. You're not making any mistakes. They can count on you going into a game."
Choice is looking forward on reporting to One Bills Drive next Tuesday, for the first day of the team's Voluntary Offseason Conditioning program. The Bills will make the signing official after the contract is returned.
