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Former UNC wide receiver Bug Howard has signed with the Buffalo Bills. As a tight end.
We’ve signed TE Bug Howard. #BillsMafia
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) July 30, 2021
Welcome to Buffalo, @ThaBugMan!
Details: https://t.co/FluvgFhyHK pic.twitter.com/CoUrZZLGYT
Signed TE Bug Howard. pic.twitter.com/ljG5QaykQO
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) July 30, 2021
The sixth-leading touchdown receiver in Carolina history, Bug Howard has found the professional ladder tough to climb. Undrafted after finishing his UNC career, Howard spent time on the fringes of the Colts, Browns, Panthers, Broncos, and Jaguars, and played in the now defunct Alliance of American Football.
Now twenty pounds heavier than his senior season at Carolina (6’5” and now 230 pounds), Howard was signed as a tight end. He was equally adept at catching passes in the middle of the field as he was on the outside, so he’ll just need to improve his interior blocking to see time in the Buffalo offense. As Josh Allen improves as a passer, having a tight end with Bug Howard’s sticky hands can only help diversify the Bills’ offense.
Bug will be reunited with Tar Heel teammate Mitch Trubisky, who is now the back-up quarterback in Buffalo. The two had fantastic chemistry in 2016 (see below), so Howard will at least have the chance to impress during practice.
Bug and Mitch will likely be joined on the couch most Saturdays with former Heels Andre Smith and Antonio Williams to watch Carolina challenge for the ACC title this year.