Ryan Bates on staying with Bills: ‘I told them I wanted to be back’

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WHEC) — Offensive Lineman Ryan Bates is back with the Buffalo Bills.

After Buffalo tendered him in mid-March, the Bears then offered the Penn State product a 4-year deal worth $17 million. Four days later, Buffalo matched it, keeping Bates in the same place he’s been the past three seasons.

Last year was a career milestone of sorts. Bates started the first six games of his career, including both postseason ones. Prior, he had played a combined 24 games in 2019 and 2020 but didn’t start any.

Buffalo keeping him on board was music to Bates’ ears given that that was his hope all along.

"I’ve had the opportunity over these past three years to learn from some great, great coaches and great players, specifically alignment," Bates said. "You know, like Dion Dawkins, Mitch Morse, you know, I’m very fortunate to learn from those individuals. And I want to be where I’m at today with, you know, having, you know, if they hadn’t taught me the things they’ve learned along their way. I told them, I want to be honest and buffalo. God works in mysterious ways and I get the opportunity to come back here and, you know, compete for Super Bowl."