Could the Bills let Dan Carpenter walk after one of his best seasons?
Last year no one wanted Dan Carpenter, but after he had a terrific year the Buffalo Bills are now forced with a tough decision. Do they re-sign him to create competition for Dustin Hopkins who they drafted or just let him walk?
The most ideal scenario would be to let re-sign Carpenter and have him compete with Dustin Hopkins. Keeping both Carpenter and Hopkins on the roster into training camp would provide them with options at kicker based on how both players perform in the preseason. However, it could be hard to convince Carpenter to return under those circumstances.
Assigning Carpenter with the franchise tag, on the other hand, would ensure competition at kicker but also bring a greater cost than a deal on the open market, but would be a crazy situation unless Buffalo is willing to let Jairus Byrd walk.
If Buffalo let’s Carpenter walk though they could save money. If they feel comfortable with Hopkins as their “lead” kicker entering training camp, this could be the way they go. Hopkins will cost just $523,000 against the salary cap this season. The Bills could then sign an undrafted free-agent kicker to compete with Hopkins.
I feel the Bills need to keep Carpenter, and if Hopkins cannot beat him out, then send him packing. This is a doggy dog world, and at this point, Carpenter was a pretty solid kicker in Buffalo’s weather.
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