Lorenzo Alexander recorded an out-of-the-blue, late-career gem of a season in 2016. The Buffalo Bills believe he can do it again.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that the pass rusher is returning to Western New York on a two-year, $9 million pact with $4.1 million in guarantees, per a source with knowledge of the deal.
Alexander chimed in on Twitter to confirm the move:
After recording just 16 starts over his first 11 seasons in the NFL, the 33-year-old Alexander started every game for the Bills last season and piled up an unexpected 12.5 sacks. He came into the year with just nine total career takedowns. Alexander also picked off a pass and notched three forced fumbles as one of the league's most surprising stories.
The challenge for Alexander, a longtime special-teamer, comes in duplicating that success in an altered scheme under new coach Sean McDermott. The linebacker/end hybrid isn't a natural fit in Buffalo's revised 4-3 playbook, but Alexander promised in January: "I know I can play in any scheme in the league."
One of free agency's more fascinating case studies, Alexander is back with the team that believed in him last autumn. If he can repeat his magic come September, this looks like a solid move for the Bills.
