The Buffalo Bills announced this afternoon that they have re-signed OG Ike Boettger to a one-year deal, bringing him back for a sixth year in Buffalo.
Boettger signed with the Bills as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa in 2018. After not making Buffalo’s 53-man roster initially, Boettger was claimed by the Kansas City Chiefs, only to be waived nine days later. He wound up back in Buffalo the very next day (September 12), and made his NFL debut on December 2, 2018 versus the Miami Dolphins.
The 28-year old worked his way back onto the field this year after tearing his Achilles late in the 2021 season. (He tore it in Week 16 last year, and returned in Week 16 this year.) Up until the injury, Boettger had played in 15 games in 2021 and started 10 of them, both career highs.
Having almost 1,400 snaps under his belt over his five-year career, Boettger has only given up one sack, according to PFF. In addition, he’s only had five penalties called on him. (He had three penalties in 2020 and two penalties and one sack allowed in 2021.) Boettger also finished with a 72.2 pass-blocking grade and a 51.3 run-blocking grade in 2021.
As a result, his teammates love him. He may not be one of the top linemen in the league, but his character is one of the highest in the game.
“He’s a king. I freaking love Ike. I don’t think you can find one guy in the world that has a bad thing to say about Ike. The ultimate, ultimate team guy.”
qb josh allen during the 2022 season
As it stands right now, here are the Buffalo Bills’ offensive linemen who are under contract:
- LT Dion Dawkins
- C Mitch Morse
- RG Ryan Bates
- RT Spencer Brown
- OG Ike Boettger
- OL Tommy Doyle
Expect many more moves to come on the OL over the next few weeks between free agency and the draft. Boettger could be a starting guard again. But I would expect the Bills to add more interior linemen for depth and competition, specifically targeting one high in the draft. I would also like to see them add a veteran RT in free agency to give Spencer Brown some competition.
Time will tell, as we are now a week and a half away from the start of free agency.
*Allen’s quote came courtesy of http://www.buffalobills.com.
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