On March 6, the Buffalo Bills cut down their roster in an effort to become a younger, more cap-compliant club. While some of the cuts were unavoidable and difficult, Mitch Morse’s announcement came as a major shock.
Morse’s $19.5 million deal still had one season left on it. Josh Allen’s offensive line has been supported by the former captain of the Buffalo Bills since 2019. The Morse-led offensive line gave up the fewest sacks (24) in Allen’s career last season. He played in all eighteen games and, at thirty-one, showed no signs of slowing down.
The day following his release, Morse sent out a farewell letter, but Caitlin Morse, the center’s wife, didn’t remark on their departure until over a month later.
Caitlin sent a sincere letter to the address she had lived at for the previous five years. “Dear Bills Mafia & WNY, I’m not good with words or good byes so I’m gonna get right to the point,” she posted on Instagram. I would like to express my gratitude for your kind reception of Mitch and our family.
“We are incredibly appreciative of our time in Buffalo and of all of your love, support, and incredible memories. We will always have a very special spot in our hearts for you. Until our paths reunite once more. God bless you ❤️💙.
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While residing in Buffalo, the veteran centre and his spouse welcomed two children. The 2020 offseason saw the birth of their daughter Kennedy Marie, but the preparations for their son Deacon proved more difficult.
Caitlin’s due date fell on January 9, 2021, the day of the Bills’ last regular-season game—a crucial encounter with the New York Jets. Morse disclosed that they intended for Caitlin to be induced the following Monday, with the AFC East division championship at stake.
‘Loved’ Bills quarterback Josh Allen “With Every Ounce of My Being” by Mitch Morse
Allen Josh and Morse Mitch
November 06, 2022, at MetLife Stadium, with former centre Mitch Morse and quarterback Josh Allen of the Getty Bills.
With a cap hit of $11.47 million for the 2024 campaign, Morse has the ninth-highest on the squad. With a $3 million cap charge, the team saved $8.47 million by cutting Morse. The starting center’s unemployment was brief. The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Pro Bowler agreed to a two-year, $10.5 million contract.
For the first time, Allen discussed the departure of one of his longest-serving colleagues with media on April 18.
Allen declared, “I genuinely love Mitch with all of my heart.” “I really do think he’s one of the best guys on the planet.” And everyone other you speak with would say the same thing. There was much knowledge in him. I’m hoping for the best for him in Jacksonville.
This offseason, the 27-year-old quarterback disclosed that he spent time with Morse. “I will definitely miss him,” Allen said. “Losing someone you’ve been playing with for a long time is never going to be easy. We knew each other really well, almost like old friends. in the true sense. There were chuckles as I said, “I kind of felt him on the back of my hand almost every snap.”
Thank you for everything pic.twitter.com/Vq9moYThMf
— Mitch Morse (@mithenmor60) March 7, 2024
During his first press conference in Jacksonville last month, Morse talked candidly about his sudden departure from the Bills.
“I really think that the teams that prioritise football and foster a family atmosphere are the best ones; it’s imperative,” he remarked. However, keep in mind that this is a business by nature. Thus, while the financial aspect of it makes sense, the human element of it hurts.
Josh Allen stated that it takes “a while” to get used to a new centre for the Bills.
Josh Allen knew Mitch Morse like the back of his hand.
Literally.
What are the challenges of working with a new center?
“I know this is going to sound weird but finding a comfortable position.”#BillsMafia @BuffaloPlus pic.twitter.com/TUOriURgr0
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) April 18, 2024
The Bills intend to move Connor McGovern to centre, which sounds hazardous, in the absence of Ryan Bates and Morse. “In our season-long film review, McGovern was solid but also the lowest-graded starter of the bunch,” said Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. Having played centre in just five seasons overall, he also lacks significant NFL experience.
At Penn State, McGovern did play a lot of centre court, but that was a long time ago and at the collegiate level. There’s a chance he could execute the work successfully, but it’s still a risk. The loss of Morse, the anchor of their offensive line, might result in a decline in output from the starting five as a whole. At some point during the draft, the Bills may choose to select a young centre prospect.
It will take time to “find a comfortable position” with a new centre, according to Allen. “It’s not simple… It simply takes time to get to know someone and their breaking point. It requires patience and practice. It resembles tossing a route while using a receiver. That’s a fair analogy, in my opinion.