Ray Rice

FILE - In this Aug. 7, 2014, file photo, Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice sits on the sideline in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Baltimore. The Ravens have cut Ray Rice. Hours after the release of a video that appears to show Rice striking his then-fiancee in February, the team terminated his contract Monday, Sept. 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

(Nick Wass)

Orchard Park, N.Y. — Ever since he was cut last September, former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, who was suspended indefinitely for hitting his then fiancee and now wife, has been waiting for someone to give him another chance.

Sports Illustrated's Don Banks polled a dozen league executives to gauge the odds of Rice finding another landing spot in the league. The executives were split on whether the 28-year-old running back, who rushed for 631 yards in 2013, is worth the risk. However, one of the sources Banks spoke to brought up the Buffalo Bills as a potential fit for Rice.

"I think I'm in the minority on this, but I think he plays this year," a high-level club executive told Banks. "But it'll have to be for a really strong front office organization. Seattle, Green Bay, Dallas, situations like that. I'm a little bit surprised that it has taken this long for someone to sign him. Buffalo could be another team to watch with Rice. They don't have a need at running back right now, but I'm told Rex Ryan thinks the world of him from their time together in Baltimore (in 2008). He loves him. He doesn't like him. He loves him."

This source isn't connected to the Bills' organization, so the idea is more speculative than anything else. With the way this Bills offseason has gone, however, nothing should come as a surprise.

Why it makes sense

The only real reason this move would make sense for the Bills is because of Rex Ryan, who is reportedly a big fan of Rice. Ryan has already taken chances on Richie Incognito and Percy Harvin this offseason and has a long history of handing out second chances. The Bills also spent a fifth-round pick on running back Karlos Williams, who was accused of domestic assault. If the Bills are going to run the ball as often as they say, maybe Ryan would want to take another chance.

Why it doesn't make sense

The Bills signing Rice would be foolish for plenty of reasons. First, the Bills already have a deep and talented backfield. Not only did they trade for 2013 rushing champion LeSean McCoy this offseason, they also have veteran Fred Jackson as well as Williams, Anthony Dixon and Bryce Brown. As it is, the Bills will probably have to cut a running back. How would they make room for Rice?

Even without the depth chart issues, is Rice really worth the public relations backlash he would cause? The Bills have already taken chances on a few questionable characters this offseason, so why bring in the player that has become the face of the NFL's domestic violence issues? Maybe the Bills could justify it if Rice was still the player he was in his prime, but he rushed for 3.1 yards per carry in his last full season in the league. The older Rice gets and the more players get in trouble for domestic violence, the less likely he is to find another team. It's tough for any team to justify the signing, and it would be particularly difficult for the Bills to do it.