Did New York Vax Rules Drive This Buffalo Bill Out Of Town?
The Buffalo Bills polarizing wide receiver, Cole Beasley, wants out of town. The former All-Pro target has asked his western New York NFL franchise for a trade. The Bills were knocking on the doorstep of the Super Bowl this year and are one of the odds-on favorites to be next year. Josh Allen is one of the most prolific passing quarterbacks in the NFL. Why would Beasley want out?
Is it possible that Beasley's public anti-vaccine stance rubbed his organization, and maybe some of his teammates, the wrong way? Did Buffalo's response to Beasley's position irritate the wide receiver? Hard to say but there were rumblings all season around the 32 year-old, from Houston Texas. You can't blame the Bills offense for Cole wanting out of Buffalo. #11 was targeted 112 times in 2021, a career high but his total yardage was down nearly 25% from 2020. Who wouldn't want Josh Allen throwing to him? Most likely it's a salary cap hit but not definitely.
According to a report on ESPN.com, the Buffalo Bills granted Cole Beasley permission to seek a trade. That was confirmed by general manager Brandon Beane. The report said that "releasing or trading Beasley would save the Bills $6.1 million in cap space with $1.5 million remaining in dead cap. Buffalo currently has about $1 million in cap space with moves expected in the near future."
You have to wonder how the organization really felt about the wide receiver. Did the team even try to renegotiate the contract of #11? It doesn't seem that way. "I haven't spoken to Cole personally or anything like that. We'll just take it day by day," Beane said Tuesday. Seems like both sides are fine with moving on. One thing is for sure, Beasley will be tough to replace for Josh Allen and the Bills offense.