Buffalo Bills Re-Sign TE Scott Chandler, What Does It Mean?

The 2012 NFL free-agency market has yet to open, but the Buffalo Bills are already taking measures by building from within.

The most recent move, according to Aaron Wilson of FOX Sports' Scout.com, was to re-sign tight end Scott Chandler to a two-year deal.

Bills general manager Buddy Nix is making good on his promise to retain his key free agents, and on Monday extended wide receiver Stevie Johnson with a five-year, $36.25 million deal.

But the Bills are not done yet. Not by a long shot.

What It Means

Chandler was red hot in the first three games of the season, with nine receptions for 89 yards and four touchdowns, but he flamed out quickly with 29 receptions for 300 yards and two touchdowns in the final 13 games of 2011.

His effectiveness may have changed over the course of the season, but one thing that won't change anytime soon is his size. At 6'7" and 270 pounds, he'll be a big threat in the red zone regardless, and the Bills could definitely use a few of those.

What's Next?

With two important skill position players now locked up, the Bills can turn their attention to another key player in Fred Jackson. Nix has said, according to BuffaloBills.com, that getting him inked to a long-term deal is a priority, and although the Bills have plenty of time to get it done, something gives me the feeling Jackson just moved to the top of that list.

Whether or not that deal gets done soon, the biggest need remains a 4-3 defensive end. There will be options in both free agency (defensive end Mario Williams) and the draft (South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram has been a popular pick).

For now, though, it seems that the Bills are focusing on taking care of the in-house free agents so that they can focus on external candidates when the market opens.

Follow @ErikFrenz