Chris Hogan left Buffalo to join an AFC East rival this past spring, signing with the New England Patriots after three seasons with the Bills.
Bills coach Rex Ryan was sad to see the talented wide receiver go.
“It was definitely tough to lose him,” Ryan said Wednesday in a conference call with New England media. “We didn’t want to. The thing about Chris is he’s a tough guy, he’s a good receiver and things, but the thing that also impressed me is this guy, he did everything that was asked of him. From being a special-teams player and obviously being a wideout, being in the slot, being outside.”
Given Hogan’s status as a restricted free agent, the Bills had an opportunity to match any team’s offer for the 27-year-old wideout. The Patriots’ three-year, $12 million proposal was too rich for their blood, however, and the Bills allowed Hogan to walk.
So far, Hogan has looked like an excellent addition to New England’s receiving corps. He has caught eight passes for 122 yards and one touchdown over the team’s first three games and likely will see his production increase once quarterback Tom Brady returns from his Deflategate suspension next week.
“It doesn’t surprise me the type of success he’s having, because he’s really a good football player,” said Ryan, whose Bills visit the Patriots this Sunday at Gillette Stadium. “And when you look at him as an athlete, here’s a big-time lacrosse player who then decides he’s going to play one year of football (in college) and now is in the National Football League. He’s a pretty special talent.”
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
