GM Buddy Nix Announces Bills Are Moving On Without Aaron Schobel

The Buffalo Bills are transitioning to a 3-4 defense which would make Aaron Schobel a linebacker and not a defensive end, the position he's played since the Bills drafted him in 2001.

Schobel was contemplating retirement over the offseason and ultimately didn't report to Bills training camp last week which caused the team to place him on the Reserve/Did Not Report list.

Now Bills GM Buddy Nix announced they're moving on without Schobel, according to SB Nation's Buffalo Rumblings.

"Aaron has been contemplating retirement for the past seven months, but we are at the point where we are moving forward and have informed his agent of our plans. Aaron has been a very good player for the Bills and we wish him and his family the best, but there comes a point where we have to move forward and that point is today. We are focusing on the team’s best interests."

Schobel acknowledged the move and indicated he understood where they were coming from.

"I heard it, I'm fine with it. I'm a little bit relieved and I definitely understand where they're coming from. They're trying to move on and rebuild and do what they need to do to give themselves the best chance, and they don't want some guy just interrupting it. So I understand, and I appreciate everything Buffalo did for me."

The announcement doesn't necessarily change much. The Bills will still own his contract rights. If he chose to come back, they would have to release him, trade him or let him come back. They can't lock him out of training camp.

While it appears this is the end of Schobel in Buffalo, the door isn't quite completely closed.

Check out Buffalo Rumblings for more Bills news.