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NFL Free Agency: 5 teams that could sign Chris Long

By John Buhler

Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) runs on to the field before the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) runs on to the field before the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) during warmups before the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Arizona Cardinals at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) during warmups before the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Arizona Cardinals at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

. AFC. East. Buffalo Bills. 2. player. 16

The Buffalo Bills are certainly knocking on the door of AFC Playoffs contention in 2016, as they have a strong defensive-minded head coach in Rex Ryan and possibly its best solution at starting quarterback since Jim Kelly in Pro Bowler Tyrod Taylor.

Though the Bills play in the AFC East that has been owned by the New England Patriots since 2002’s realignment, Buffalo was still a competitive 8-8 team in 2015 despite not having a ferocious pass rush as expected under Ryan’s leadership.

The Bills finished with the second fewest sacks in 2015 with only 21. With high-priced defensive end and former No. 1 overall draft pick Mario Williams likely wanting to leave Orchard Park, New York via free agency, might the Bills be interested in bringing in another former promising pass rusher in the now available Chris Long?

Long would probably put up great pass rushing numbers in Ryan’s blitz-heavy defense as a situational pass rusher. If Ryan wanted him to play as an every-down pass rusher that might prove difficult for Long at this stage of his NFL career, but he would certainly help the Bills in the locker room with his veteran leadership. Going from one perennial doormat to another from St. Louis to Buffalo could end up fueling Long’s motivation to help turn the Bills into a 2016 AFC Playoff team.

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