Bills Sign OL Will Clapp to One-Year Contract

The Buffalo Bills addressed their depth on the offensive line by signing former Los Angeles Chargers interior lineman Will Clapp.

Aug 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers center Will Clapp (76) during the / Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Part of the Buffalo Bills’ turnover on offense has been in the trenches, where offensive lineman Ryan Bates was traded to the Chicago Bears and center Mitch Morse – an esteemed veteran presence – signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

As such, the left guard spot will now be filled by David Edwards, who spent time as Buffalo’s sixth lineman last season. Connor McGovern will be moving over to center in Morse’s absence.

The Bills made more news along their offensive line on Friday.

Aug 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers center Will Clapp (76) during the / Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Interior lineman Will Clapp signed a one-year deal with Buffalo on Friday. He spent the first four seasons of his career with the New Orleans Saints before the last two with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Clapp will move from one superstar quarterback to another, most likely taking the backup center job in Western New York.

Clapp was only a center during his time in Los Angeles, but also has experience at both left and right guard, potentially offering an upgrade over Alec Anderson and Kevin Jarvis should starting guards Edwards or O’Cyrus Torrence go down with an injury.

Part of Clapp’s appeal is the lack of penalties he committed. He has never committed more than three penalties in a given season on offense and found just one in 2023, when he got a chance to start and played the most snaps of his career (702).

Among qualified centers (32), Clapp’s single penalty was tied for the least. By Pro Football Focus’ marks, he was the 25th-best center, posting the 26th-highest run blocking grade and 19th-highest pass protection grade. He profiles as a below average starter when given extended playing time, but a veteran center with a track record of competency is a useful asset for the second unit.

Details on Clapp’s contract are yet to be released, but fans can expect him to be one of a handful of general manager Brandon Beane's signings coming from the discount rack.