The Buffalo Bills are not going to pick up the fifth-year option on wide receiver Sammy Watkins’ rookie deal.
With the deadline to exercise the option coming up on Wednesday, the team announced that it has decided against paying Watkins roughly $8.5 million for the 2018 season.
The Buffalo Bills have declined to pick up Sammy Watkins' fifth-year option. pic.twitter.com/zS3xZT7tWt
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) May 2, 2017
While Watkins had a nagging foot problem that limited him to just eight games last season, the decision is somewhat of a surprise. He is capable of making big plays when healthy, and $8.5 million seems like a reasonable salary for a receiver of his caliber.
That said, it could be that the Bills don’t trust Watkins to remain healthy. The issue with the fifth-year option on a first-round pick’s rookie deal is that it is guaranteed for injury, so Buffalo would be stuck paying Watkins even if the foot remains a problem. The latest update we heard about Watkins’ health a few months back did not sound all that promising.
