Jeffrey Rusert of Jefferson County is a Buffalo Bills fan and commentator who contributes to a variety on online sources regarding the teams’ news and highlights. In the following article, Jeffrey Rusert discusses the career of Rodger Saffold, and what’s next after his contract renewal.
When Buffalo Bills player Rodger Saffold signed a 1-year deal with the team a year ago, many thought the arrangement would only last that long. After completing his first successful year with the team Saffold has made clear that he plans on staying with the Buffalo Bills. However, with other expensive contracts also on the list for renewal, he may not be a top priority explains Jeffrey Rusert of Jefferson County.
Despite his advancing age and recent injuries, Saffold has maintained a solid record this season, making it through the first twelve games of the season with zero sacks. Below, Jeffrey Rusert of Jefferson County covers everything fans need to know about Rodger Saffold and his renewed contract with the team.
Jeffrey Rusert on Saffold’s Early Career
• Los Angeles Rams
Jeffrey Rusert of Jefferson County says that Rodger Saffold began his professional career in 2010 playing for the Los Angeles Rams with whom he signed a 4-year contract. During his career with the Rams, he played as starting left tackle, right tackle, and right guard.
Over the course of his 9-season run with the Los Angeles Rams, they made it to the Super Bowl once in 2018 where they lost 13-3 to the New England Patriots. That same year he also received the 7th-best grade for all offensive guards in the NFL.
• Tennessee Titans
After successful seasons and multiple contracts with the Rams, Jeffrey Rusert of Jefferson County reports that he decided to move on to the Tennessee Titans signing a 4-year contract.
He had two very successful seasons with the Titans, in both the 2019 and 2020 seasons he started in every single game and in 2020 was named Offensive Player of the Week in week 8. He was then later released from the team at the beginning of 2022.
• Buffalo Bills
On March 14th of 2022, Rodger Saffold signed a 1-year contract to play for the Buffalo Bills.
A Year in Buffalo
Overall, Jeffrey Rusert of Jefferson County says that the Bills have had a very successful season coming to 10-3 and they currently hold the number 1 spot in the AFC standings.
During this time, Saffold has had a solid record on the field, coming out of his first 12 games with zero sacks. However, the offensive line as a whole has faced some issues in performance.
Jeffrey Rusert of Jefferson County says that although this does not directly reflect Saffold’s playing, it does raise concern as to how well the team is meshing together and does not bode well for the chance of a re-signing.
Will His Contract Be Renewed
Now that Rodger Saffold has made his intention of playing on the team for another year clear, many Bills fans have been left wondering whether his contract will be renewed.
Despite having a successful year, Jeff Rusert of Jefferson County reports that the Bills have faced issues with their offensive line, so much so that they have already called in two veterans, including Cole Beasley, both of whom could easily move their way into starting positions next season.
Another factor to consider is Saffold’s age. He is now 34 years old which makes him one of the older players on the field. This also puts him at an increased risk of injury.
During his 2020 season for the Titans, he suffered from a shoulder injury that temporarily took him off the playing field. Jeffrey Rusert of Jefferson County reports that this was not the first time he has suffered from shoulder problems; a shoulder injury took him out of the running for a 5-year contract with the Oakland Raiders in 2014.
In July of 2022, he also suffered another injury that took him off the field. However, this injury was not football related. Saffold was involved in a car accident earlier this year which left him with injured ribs. This resulted in him missing part of the training camp.
Although he was able to recover from each of these injuries and make it back onto the field, it does signal that he may be approaching the end of his career.
Jeffrey Rusert of Jefferson County reports that the Bills are also put in a tough position where several of their contracts need to be renewed, including those of Tremaine Edmunds and Jordan Poyer. This will place Rodger’s contract lower on the priority list.
Final Thoughts
After a successful season thus far, Rodger Saffold has made his plans clear that he wants to renew his contract and continue playing for the Bills.
Overall, he has had a successful run with the team and has helped them make their way to the number 1 stop in the AFC standings. However, this will not guarantee his place on the team next year.
Several other important contracts for the team need to be renewed in the same spring. He is also one of the older players on the field and an increased injury rate is likely to place him lower on the priority list for a renewal.
