OJ Howard, Bills Reportedly Agree to 1-Year Contract After 5 Seasons with Buccaneers

The Buffalo Bills have agreed to a one-year contract with veteran tight end O.J. Howard.

Ian Rapoport reported that the Bills will sign Von Miller to a six-year, $120 million deal.

Howard was selected with the 19th overall pick in the draft by the Buccaneers and has struggled to live up to expectations.

He ran for 1,726 yards and seven touchdown in four years at Alabama, but his potential was obvious as he prepared to take the next step in his career.

Howard's theoretical value has outpaced his actual value. After four games, his season was over because of a torn Achilles.

He had shown flashes before the injury. He finished the year with 34 catches for 565 yards and five touchdown in 10 appearances. He had yet to establish himself as an elite tight end.

His production of 14 catches for 135 yards and one touchdown was not promising.

Richard Sherman was already a three-time All-Pro before he got hurt. Bryant was three years older than Howard at the time of his injury.

It is fair to wonder how effective Howard can be if he is a step or two slower after returning to the field.

Scott Smith @ScottSBucs

OC Byron Leftwich on says the loss of O.J. Howard is tough because Howard had been putting in so much work and was showing obvious improvements. Leftwich says Howard gets into positions that most guys his size can't get into.

Getting out of the area could help him.

Mike Evans and Chris Godwin were already big parts of the offense before the arrival of Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski pushed Howard further down the pecking order for the passing game.

He will have to contend with other players in Buffalo, but the Bills see a role for him in the future.

A short-term deal will allow Howard to rebuild his value before he returns to the open market.