The Vikings made a contract offer to Buffalo restricted free-agent guard Ryan Bates, but a source said Thursday that he will sign an offer sheet with Chicago instead.
Bates visited the Vikings in Minnesota on March 17, then took visits to New England and Chicago this week. When he signs the offer sheet with the Bears, the Bills, who gave Bates a $2.433 million right-of-refusal tender, will have five days to match it. If they don’t match it, they would receive no compensation.
It is uncertain what the Vikings and Bears offered Bates and whether the Patriots also made an offer.
The Vikings were looking at Bates as a possible starting right guard in 2022. He has been mostly a reserve in his three seasons with Buffalo, but he did start four games in 2021, including the last three of the regular season due to injuries. He then also started the Bills’ two playoff games.
Chicago's new GM is a former OL who is credited with helping fix the Chiefs OL the last couple years through FA and draft. I'm sure that had an influence on Bates decision. Looks like we missed on a relatively cheap RG or at least quality competition.