Another Bills $37 million player has left Sean McDermott and fans absolutely bewildered by issuing a nonsensical statement about his current commitment with the Bills.
While Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott praised the club’s high
attendance during organized team activities, Rasul Douglas’ absence was notable.
Douglas was the lone player to skip all of OTAs, sparking speculation of a rift between the Bills and their top cornerback.
Douglas, on the other hand, attended required minicamp and was very open about his earlier absences.
The veteran desired to spend quality time with his son, Jeremiah, and his family.
“If you know athletes and like the mindset that you have to be in during a season,
you can’t be in it the whole time, so you got to take a break from it,” Douglas told the press the previous week.
“We miss so many funerals, birthdays, and other types of events.
As we are all human, I believe that sometimes you simply need to take a big breath and be appreciative for what God has given you, your family, and the time you have with them.
Also, make your mind pleasant and healthy.
You know there’s not much sun here,” he continued. “You gotta get out and chill.” Douglas shared his offseason process with the Bills coaches and staff beforehand so there were no doubts over his commitment.
The 29-year-old uses voluntary time to refresh his mind and body, allowing him to be fully prepared when training camp begins.
“Once you get back, you’re kinda locked and loaded,” Douglas remarked.
After losing Tre’Davious White (Achilles) in mid-season, the Bills traded for Douglas from the Green Bay Packers.
Douglas, who signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Packers, is entering his final season.
However, the West Virginia product did not appear concerned about receiving an extension and appeared ignorant that his current contract expires after the 2024 NFL season.
“Oh this is my contract year right here?” Douglas asked while addressing the media. “Oh, uhm. I don’t know. Hopefully, upstairs they see and think that I’m worth something and decide to put a little bit of green in my pocket.”
Trading for Douglas proved to be a major success for the Bills. In nine games and eight starts, he had 29 tackles, eight passes defensed, four interceptions, and one sack. And he did it without fully understanding Buffalo’s defense.
Douglas basically performed what All-Pro safety tandem Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde ordered him to do. “Low key.” “Last year, I just came in and listened to whatever Micah and ‘Po’ said,” Douglas explained.
If I am honest, they basically looked at me and said, ‘All right, you could jump some.’ “And I just did it.” Douglas has ambitious aspirations for 2024 now that he understands the Bills’ defensive scheme better.
“We also have team goals, but my aim is to go to the Pro Bowl or All-Pro level, which is what I said I wanted. So I am looking forward to that.”
With Poyer gone and Hyde’s status unknown, Douglas will take on a more leadership role.
He’s set to start opposite Christian Benford, and Douglas is excited. “CB, that’s my guy, man,” Douglas said of the third-year corner.
“I like the way he comes to work every day. He plays hard. He practiced hard.
He talks to you and lets you know what he sees from his perspective and what you see. You kind of bounce ideas off each other.
Honestly, even during the summer, CB and I call each other about every other day. Just chat about sports and family because he has a son, just like I do.”
