Buffalo Bills would save more than $2 million cutting TE Lee Smith

[zanthrax54 9,187]

Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

While we’re on the topic of tight ends Monday, we need to take a look at the salary cap. They aren’t going to cut Dawson Knox and it seems unlikely they will re-sign Tyler Kroft after keeping him inactive for half the year (or he’d be interested). That leaves us with a fairly obvious player; Lee Smith.

Smith did a great job at what they asked him to do. He’s a blocking tight end and has good hands when they ask him to catch. Classic old school tight ends like Smith are being phased out, though, and he has discussed retirement this offseason.

If he’s cut or if he retires, the results on the salary cap are the same; the Bills save a good chunk of money. He’s set to make $1.9 million in base salary, $100,000 in a workout bonus, and the roster bonus this season. None of his $2.25 million cap hit is guaranteed in 2021. He doesn’t have pro-rated signing bonus money that needs to be held to account. As long as the Bills release him by the fifth day of the league year in March, they won’t be on the hook for any money in 2021. He has a $250,000 roster bonus due then, which should accelerate the decision by the Bills.

Smith is definitely a guy I want on my team, but at $2.25 million, they can probably get another player to play his 200+ snaps. In fact, the Bills made him inactive for chunks of the season and he played the fewest number of snaps (from a healthy season) of his entire career in 2020.

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[VolsBillsMagic 202]

I think he's hinted he was going to retire

[nealpellecchia@yahoo 1,212]

2 hours ago, zanthrax54 said:

Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

While we’re on the topic of tight ends Monday, we need to take a look at the salary cap. They aren’t going to cut Dawson Knox and it seems unlikely they will re-sign Tyler Kroft after keeping him inactive for half the year (or he’d be interested). That leaves us with a fairly obvious player; Lee Smith.

Smith did a great job at what they asked him to do. He’s a blocking tight end and has good hands when they ask him to catch. Classic old school tight ends like Smith are being phased out, though, and he has discussed retirement this offseason.

If he’s cut or if he retires, the results on the salary cap are the same; the Bills save a good chunk of money. He’s set to make $1.9 million in base salary, $100,000 in a workout bonus, and the roster bonus this season. None of his $2.25 million cap hit is guaranteed in 2021. He doesn’t have pro-rated signing bonus money that needs to be held to account. As long as the Bills release him by the fifth day of the league year in March, they won’t be on the hook for any money in 2021. He has a $250,000 roster bonus due then, which should accelerate the decision by the Bills.

Smith is definitely a guy I want on my team, but at $2.25 million, they can probably get another player to play his 200+ snaps. In fact, the Bills made him inactive for chunks of the season and he played the fewest number of snaps (from a healthy season) of his entire career in 2020.

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Put him at lg.. every play guys rush through that hole forcing allen right. 

[Laughing Coffin 1,385]

He said he's retiring, money is saved already

[pkschul 3,683]

Love Lee Smith. He's a league minimum player at this point though. Hope he enjoys his retirement. 

Use his slot on a road grader fullback.

[Victor7 89,986]

Even if it saved 2 dollars it'd be worth it. 

 

Nah, kidding aside he cut down on the penalties and has been a good leader for Josh to be around. He's most likely gone as some of you have pointed out he hinted at retirement. 

[Crazy Legs 435]

The issue is, you need to replace him, i.e. you need a tight end that can block.

How much with that person cost?   That much less than $2 million a year?

[bcw 24,496]

I've never been a big fan of Lee Smith but he is constantly mentioned for his leadership by McDermo and Josh.

$2 million isn't going to tie our hands and not let Beane go after free agents. If Mcdermott counts in him in the locker room I'm ok keeping him around. Obviously this staff counts on Smith or he wouldn't have been activated over Kroft, who is a better all around TE.

[FanBack 999]

All he does is catch TDs.