Why Re-Signing Lorenzo Alexander Was a Must for the 2019 Buffalo Bills

Both had expressed interest in reuniting for the 2019 season, and now the Buffalo Bills and Lorenzo Alexander made it official.

Not only has Alexander been a key piece to the Bills defense on the field, but he has been a key contributor to the leadership of what is currently a very young team heading into 2019. This signing made too much sense. Alexander is coming off another solid season, compiling 6.5 sacks, 55 solo tackles, and 11 tackles for loss. Strictly by the stats, it made more than perfect sense for the Bills to bring back Zo.

There was one key reason why the Bills had to bring back Lorenzo Alexander. It wasn’t only the stats, the depth he provides, or the fact he only wants to play for one more season. The reason is Kyle Williams. Kyle Williams retirement left the 2019 Bills with not only a position to fill on the defense, but in leadership.

Granted Kyle passed the torch of leader of the defense to now second-year linebacker Tremaine Edmunds before the season ended. Giving him the reins of leading the defensive meetings.  But the 2019 Bills although talented are still going to be young. They desperately needed to have the veteran presence for the young players on the team and the defense. Someone to be the voice of reason in the chaos. Someone to rally the troops for battle before stepping onto the turf at New Era Field.

With Lorenzo Alexander back in the fold, the Buffalo Bills have taken the first positive step in what is a monumentally important offseason for the future of the franchise. With an estimated 83 million dollars in cap-space available in free-agency this offseason, more signings are on the way. But when we look back on the 2019 version of the Bills, the Lorenzo Alexander signing may turn out to be the most important.