The New England Patriots are showing interest in Buffalo Bills restricted guard agent guard Ryan Bates, according to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News in Saint Paul. Bates will likely meet with the Patriots at Gillette Stadium after spending time with the Minnesota Vikings.
The Bills placed a “right of first refusal” tender offer upon Bates, which means Buffalo can try to match any offer the other 31 teams make. Unlike other RFAs with draft-pick tender offers (like Jakobi Meyers), the Patriots would not owe Buffalo a draft pick if Bates signed in New England.