NFL Rumors: Buffalo Bills in talks to sign Jeremy Maclin

In dire need of a proven wide receiver, the Buffalo Bills may be moving aggressively to sign Jeremy Maclin.

The Kansas City Chiefs made a surprising move late Friday afternoon, cutting wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. He has not lacked for rumored suitors, and teams speculated on as potential fits, so it seems sure Maclin will not last long on the open market. On that note, Jordan Schultz of the Huffington Post has reported the Buffalo Bills are in “preliminary talks” with Maclin.

Even with just 44 catches for 536 yards, Maclin would have had the second-most receptions among Bills’ wide receivers last season. Sammy Watkins’ ongoing foot issue limited him, but that still speaks volumes about Buffalo’s lack of proven options at the position. Add in the free agent departure of Robert Woods this offseason (51 catches in 2016), and things look even more dire.

Bills’ running back LeSean McCoy apparently moved quickly to recruit Maclin to Buffalo, with their six seasons (2009-2014) as teammates with the Philadelphia Eagles as the obvious reference point. Bills’ head coach Sean McDermott was also in Philadelphia in 2009 and 2010, albeit working on the defensive side of the ball, but his secondary pupils practiced against Maclin.

Prior to a disappointing, injury-affected 2016 campaign, Maclin put up nice numbers in 2015 (85 catches for 1,318 yards, 10 touchdowns) and 2016 (87 catches for 1,088 yards and eight touchdowns).

It should just come down to what Maclin is seeking, in terms of a role on a new team and money in a new contract. It’s hard to see a really aggressive bidding war coming, even with multiple other teams possibly having some interest. In Buffalo, Maclin should find a comfortable environment, a clear path to a prominent role and a quarterback that wants him around in the same way the one he left behind in Kansas City does. After a shocking end to his tenure with the Chiefs, Maclin will land on his feet somewhere.

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