We’ve entered the stage of the season where you will start to see useful players released not solely because they are sucking this year and might be washed, but possibly for contractual reasons. I say that up front because I don’t want the immediate assumption to be that anyone released right now couldn’t possibly help the Bears.
Especially if that someone is at a spot arguably where the Bears have their most dire need:
We’ve released OL Quinton Spain. #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/WANZQ152Iy
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) October 21, 2020
Quinton Spain, 29, has been a long-time starting left guard for the Titans and Bills, and just re-signed a three-year, $15 million deal with the Bills this past March. His deal comes with only about $3 million in dead cap money over the next two years, so the Bills aren’t hurting themselves that much by releasing him so soon after the signing.
As for why he was released, Spain has been dealing with a foot issue the last couple weeks, and was replaced (capably, apparently), by last year’s second rounder Cody Ford. On first glance, it seems the Bills were just ready to move on and didn’t want to/need to wait for Spain to be ready to go?
If he’s healthy, though, Spain feels like a MUST-target for the Bears. After the loss of James Daniels for the year, it’s been quickly clear that Rashaad Coward and Alex Bars can only do so much as his replacement at left guard. Good depth guys to have, sure, but Daniels was performing at an elite level in the early going. Even Spain probably doesn’t replace Daniels, but he could be a substantial step up from Coward or Bars, plus it would increase the depth.
Also, with offsets thanks to his contract with the Bills, it’s not like Spain would cost the Bears much money for this season – just the prorated veteran’s minimum (so about $600,000). So, yeah. Get on it, Bears.
We’ll keep tabs on this one.